Meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

Meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/325,028 entitled “Meniscal Repair Devices, Systems,And Methods” filed Apr. 20, 2016, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to meniscal repair devices,systems, and methods.

BACKGROUND

The meniscus is specialized tissue found between the bones of a joint.For example, in the knee the meniscus is a C-shaped piece offibrocartilage which is located at the peripheral aspect of the jointbetween the tibia and femur. This tissue performs important functions injoint health including adding joint stability, providing shockabsorption, and delivering lubrication and nutrition to the joint. As aresult, meniscal injuries can lead to debilitating conditions such asdegenerative arthritis.

Meniscal injuries, and in particular tears, are a relatively commoninjury. Such injuries can result from a sudden twisting-type injury suchas a fall, overexertion during a work-related activity, during thecourse of an athletic event, or in any one of many other situationsand/or activities. In addition, tears can develop gradually with age. Ineither case, the tears can occur in either the outer thick part of themeniscus or through the inner thin part. While some tears may involveonly a small portion of the meniscus, others affect nearly the entiremeniscus.

Unfortunately, a damaged meniscus is unable to undergo the normalhealing process that occurs in other parts of the body. The peripheralrim of the meniscus at the menisco-synovial junction is highly vascular(red zone) whereas the inner two-thirds portion of the meniscus iscompletely avascular (white zone), with a small transition (red-whitezone) between the two. Degenerative or traumatic tears to the meniscuswhich result in partial or complete loss of function frequently occur inthe white zone where the tissue has little potential for regeneration.Such tears result in severe joint pain and locking, and in the longterm, a loss of meniscal function leading to osteoarthritis.

Although several treatments currently exist for meniscal injuries, thetreatment options provide little opportunity for meniscal repair orregeneration. The majority of meniscal injuries are treated by removingthe unstable tissue during a partial meniscectomy. Once the tissue isremoved no further treatment is conducted. Most patients respond well tothis treatment in the short term but often develop degenerative jointdisease several years (e.g., after more than about ten years) postoperatively. The amount of tissue removed has been linked to the extentand speed of degeneration. When the majority of the meniscal tissue isinvolved in the injury, a total meniscectomy is conducted. If thepatient experiences pain after a total meniscectomy without significantjoint degeneration, a secondary treatment of meniscal allografts ispossible. The use of allografts is limited by tissue availability and bynarrow indications.

For meniscal tears that can be stabilized in vascularized areas of themeniscus, the tears can be repaired with suture or meniscal repairdevices such as the Omnispan™ Meniscal Repair System (DePuy Mitek ofRaynham, Mass.) and Fast-Fix™ 360 Meniscal Repair System (Smith & Nephewof London, UK). However, it can be difficult to deliver and position thedevices at a desired angle and location relative to the meniscal tear,which may result in devices positioned at a compromised angle andlocation instead of a more desirable angle and location and/or mayresult in one or more failed attempts at device delivery before desiredangle and location is achieved.

Accordingly, there remains a need for improved meniscal repair devices,systems, and methods.

SUMMARY

In general, meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods are provided.

In one aspect, a surgical system is provided that in one embodimentincludes a pledget configured to be implanted in a body of a patient.The pledget has an inner lumen extending therethrough such that thepledget is cannulated, the pledget has a longitudinal axis, the pledgethas a first plurality of holes formed through a sidewall of the pledgeton a first side thereof, the pledget has a second plurality of holesformed through the sidewall of the pledget on a second side thereof, thefirst side is opposite to the second side, and each of the firstplurality of holes is aligned with a corresponding one of the secondplurality of holes.

The surgical system can vary in any number of ways. For example, theinner lumen can have a constant diameter. For another example, the innerlumen can have a first diameter in a distal portion of the pledget and asecond, larger diameter in a proximal portion of the pledget. A junctionbetween the first and second diameters can define a step within theinner lumen. For yet another example, the first plurality of holes andthe second plurality of holes can each partially intersect with theinner lumen and the first plurality of holes and the second plurality ofholes can each partially not intersect with the inner lumen. For stillanother example, the pledget can include a retention feature at aproximal end thereof, and the retention feature can include one of theproximal end being flared radially outward and a plurality of barbsspaced equidistantly around the pledget's perimeter.

For another example, the surgical system can include a suture configuredto extend through each aligned pair of the first and second holes andextend across the inner lumen substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis such that the suture has at least two lengths thereofextending across the inner lumen. In some embodiments, the suture canhave a length thereof passing through an interior of another lengththereof to allow tensioning of the suture relative to the pledget. Insome embodiments, the surgical system can include a second pledget. Thesecond pledget can have an inner lumen extending therethrough such thatthe second pledget is cannulated, the second pledget can have alongitudinal axis, the second pledget can have a first plurality ofholes formed through a sidewall of the second pledget on a first sidethereof, the second pledget can have a second plurality of holes formedthrough the sidewall of the second pledget on a second side thereof, thefirst side of the second pledget can be opposite to the second side ofthe second pledget, and each of the first plurality of holes of thesecond pledget can be aligned with a corresponding one of the secondplurality of holes. Simultaneously with the suture extending througheach aligned pair of the first and second holes of the pledget, thesuture can be configured to extend through each aligned pair of thefirst and second holes of the second pledget and extend across the innerlumen of the second pledget substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the second pledget such that the suture has atleast two lengths thereof extending across the inner lumen of the secondpledget. The suture can have a first length thereof passing through aninterior of a second length thereof to allow tensioning of the suturerelative to the pledget and can have a third length thereof passingthrough an interior of a fourth length thereof to allow tensioning ofthe suture relative to the second pledget independent of the tensioningof the suture relative to the pledget, and/or the first plurality ofholes of the second pledget and the second plurality of holes of thesecond pledget can each partially intersect with the inner lumen of thesecond pledget and the first plurality of holes of the second pledgetand the second plurality of holes of the second pledget can eachpartially not intersect with the inner lumen of the second pledget.

For yet another example, the surgical system can include a needle havingthe pledget slidably and releasably seated thereon, and can include asuture extending through the first plurality of holes and the secondplurality of holes. The suture can be pinched in a press fit between thepledget and the needle. In some embodiments, the needle can have a flatsurface, and the suture can be pinched in a press fit between thepledget and the flat surface of the needle. In some embodiments, theneedle can have sharp distal tip that is located distally beyond thepledget slidably and releasably seated on the needle. In someembodiments, the surgical system can include a second pledget. Thesecond pledget can have an inner lumen extending therethrough such thatthe second pledget is cannulated, the second pledget can have alongitudinal axis, the second pledget can have a first plurality ofholes formed through a sidewall of the second pledget on a first sidethereof, the second pledget can have a second plurality of holes formedthrough the sidewall of the second pledget on a second side thereof, thefirst side of the second pledget can be opposite to the second side ofthe second pledget, and each of the first plurality of holes of thesecond pledget can be aligned with a corresponding one of the secondplurality of holes. The needle can also have the second pledget slidablyand releasably seated thereon, the suture can also extend through thefirst plurality of holes of the second pledget and the second pluralityof holes of the second pledget, and the suture can be pinched in a pressfit between the second pledget and the needle. The pledget can be seatedon the needle distal to the second pledget. The pledget can have aninternal stop surface abutting an external stop surface of the needle.The second pledget can not have a stop surface that abuts the externalstop surface of the needle.

For still another example, the surgical system can include a firstneedle having a first suture trailing therefrom. The first suture can bedisposed in the inner lumen of the pledget, and a second suture canextend through the first plurality of holes and the second plurality ofholes. The surgical system can also include a second pledget. The secondpledget can have an inner lumen extending therethrough such that thesecond pledget is cannulated, the second pledget can have a longitudinalaxis, the second pledget can have a first plurality of holes formedthrough a sidewall of the second pledget on a first side thereof, thesecond pledget can have a second plurality of holes formed through thesidewall of the second pledget on a second side thereof, the first sideof the second pledget can be opposite to the second side of the secondpledget, and each of the first plurality of holes of the second pledgetcan be aligned with a corresponding one of the second plurality ofholes. The surgical system can further include a second needle having athird suture trailing therefrom. The third suture can be disposed in theinner lumen of the second pledget. The second suture can extend throughthe first plurality of holes of the second pledget and the secondplurality of holes of the second pledget.

In another embodiment, a surgical system is provided that includes animplant having an open proximal end and having an external thread, and adriver including a distal portion configured to extend through the openproximal end of the implant to mate the implant to the driver. Thedriver is configured to rotate to drive the implant when mated theretothrough tissue to move the implant from being located entirely within afirst cavity on one side of a tissue to being located entirely within asecond cavity on an opposite side of the tissue, and the driver isconfigured to be withdrawn from the implant to leave the implantentirely within the second cavity.

The surgical system can have any number of variations. For example, theimplant can have a pointed distal tip and can be non-cannulated. Foranother example, the implant can have an inner lumen extendingtherethrough such that the implant is cannulated, and the driver canhave a pointed distal tip that is located distal to the implant when theimplant is mated to the driver. For yet another example, the implant canhave a suture mating feature in an intermediate portion thereof that isconfigured to mate to a suture, and the rotation of the driver can beconfigured to cause the implant to rotate relative to the suture matedto the suture mating feature. The suture mating feature can include oneof a soft coupling, a groove extending circumferentially around theimplant, a plurality of sutures extending between proximal and distalrigid portions of the implant, a ring of material attaching togetherproximal and distal rigid portions of the implant and configured to flexradially inward in response to tension of the suture therearound, and aplurality of fabric strips extending between proximal and distal rigidportions of the implant. For another example, the surgical system caninclude a suture configured to couple to the implant and extend from thefirst cavity to the second cavity in response to the implant being movedto the second cavity. The surgical system can also include a secondimplant having the suture coupled thereto, and the rotation of thedriver to drive the implant can not rotate the second implant.

In another embodiment, a surgical system is provided that includes acannula configured to have a surgical device advanced therethrough. Thecannula includes concentric inner and outer tubes that have distal endsfixed together. The outer tube is configured to move relative to theinner tube and thereby cause a distal portion of the cannula toarticulate. The surgical system also includes an actuator configured tobe actuated to cause the movement of the outer tube relative to theinner tube.

The surgical system can vary in any number of ways. For example, theinner tube can have a first plurality of slits formed in a distalportion thereof that are configured to facilitate the articulation, theouter tube can have a second plurality of slits formed in a distalportion thereof that are configured to facilitate the articulation, thefirst plurality of slits can be formed on a first side of the cannula,and the second plurality of slits can be formed on a second, oppositeside of the cannula. For another example, the rotation of the actuatorcan be configured to cause translational movement of the outer tubealong a longitudinal axis thereof. In some embodiments, the inner tubecan not longitudinally translate in response to the actuation of theactuator. For yet another example, the surgical system can include alocking mechanism configured to lock the cannula in position relative toa tissue in which the cannula is positioned. For still another example,the surgical system can include a locking mechanism configured to lockthe cannula in position relative to the surgical device advancedtherethrough. For another example, the surgical system can include afirst locking mechanism configured to lock the cannula in positionrelative to a tissue in which the cannula is positioned, and a secondlocking mechanism configured to lock the cannula in position relative tothe surgical device advanced therethrough. For still another example,the surgical device can include a needle coupled to at least one pledgetand at least one suture attached to the at least one pledget, and theneedle can be configured to guide the at least one pledget and the atleast one suture through a tissue.

In another embodiment, a surgical system is provided that includes acannula configured to have a surgical device advanced therethrough andincluding at least one of a first locking mechanism configured to lockthe cannula in position relative to a tissue in which the cannula ispositioned, and a second locking mechanism configured to lock thecannula in position relative to the surgical device advancedtherethrough.

The surgical system can have any number of variations. For example, thecannula can include at least the first locking mechanism, the firstlocking mechanism can include a plurality of protrusions on an externalsurface of the cannula, and the plurality of protrusions can beconfigured to contact the tissue. For another example, the cannula caninclude at least the first locking mechanism, and the first lockingmechanism can include a distal retention feature having a proximalsurface configured to abut a distal surface of the tissue. For yetanother example, the cannula can include at least the first lockingmechanism, and the first locking mechanism can include a proximalretention feature having a distal surface configured to abut a proximalsurface of the tissue. For still another example, the cannula caninclude at least the second locking mechanism, and the second lockingmechanism can include a soft material forming at least a proximalportion of the cannula. For another example, the cannula can include atleast the second locking mechanism, and the second locking mechanism caninclude a mating feature configured to releasably engage a correspondingmating feature of the surgical device. For still another example, thesurgical device can include a needle coupled to at least one pledget andat least one suture attached to the at least one pledget, and the needlecan be configured to guide the at least one pledget and the at least onesuture through a tissue.

For another example, a surgical method can be provided using thesurgical system, and the surgical method can include advancing thecannula through tissue of a patient such that a proximal portion of thecannula is located outside of the patient and a distal portion of thecannula is located within the patient, and advancing the surgical devicethrough the cannula. The surgical method can vary in any number of ways.For example, the cannula can include the first locking mechanism, andthe cannula can be automatically locked in position relative to thetissue. For another example, the cannula can include the first lockingmechanism, and the method can further include actuating an actuator tocause the cannula to be locked in position relative to the tissue. Foryet another example, the cannula can include the second lockingmechanism, and the cannula can be automatically locked in positionrelative to the surgical device advanced therethrough. For still anotherexample, the cannula can include the second locking mechanism, and themethod can further also actuating an actuator to cause the cannula to belocked in position relative to the surgical device advancedtherethrough.

In another embodiment, a surgical system is provided that includes afirst implant configured to be implanted in a body of a patient, asecond implant configured to be implanted in the body of the patient, asuture attached to each of the first and second implants, a needlehaving the first implant releasably mated thereto and having the secondimplant releasably mated thereto at a location that is proximal to thefirst implant, a cannula configured to guide the needle having the firstand second implants releasably mated thereto with the suture attached toeach of the first and second implants therethrough to a surgical site,and a first actuator configured to be actuated in a first actuation toadvance the first implant and a distal portion of the needle out of thecannula and configured to be actuated in a second actuation after thefirst actuation to advance the second implant and the distal portion ofthe needle out of the cannula.

The surgical system can vary in any number of ways. For example, thefirst implant and the second implant can each be releasably mated to theneedle by being slidably disposed thereon. For another example, thefirst actuator can be configured to be actuated in a third actuationbetween the first and second actuations to release the first implantfrom the needle. For yet another example, the surgical system caninclude a second actuator configured to be actuated in a third actuationto release the second implant from the needle. For still anotherexample, the surgical system can include a pusher tube configured to bepushed distally in response to one or both of the first actuation topush the first implant distally along and off of the needle, and thesecond actuation to push the second implant distally along and off ofthe needle. For yet another example, the cannula can have a distalportion configured to be selectively adjusted in curvature. For anotherexample, the cannula can have a distal portion with a fixed non-zerocurvature. The surgical system can include one or more additionalcannulas each configured to guide the needle having the first and secondimplants releasably mated thereto with the suture attached to each ofthe first and second implants therethrough to the surgical site, andeach of the cannula and the one or more additional cannulas can have adistal portion with a different fixed non-zero curvature. For yetanother example, the cannula can have a distal portion that has a fixedstraight configuration. For still another example, the cannula can beconfigured to at least one of lock in position relative to the needlepositioned therein and lock in position relative to a tissue throughwhich the cannula extends.

For another example, a surgical method using the surgical systemincludes advancing the cannula into the body of the patient andpositioning a distal end of the cannula adjacent to a target tissue ofthe patient, and advancing the needle through the cannula. The needlehas the first and second implants releasably mated thereto with thesuture attached to each of the first and second implants. The surgicalmethod also includes actuating the actuator in the first actuation toadvance the first implant and the distal portion of the needle out ofthe cannula and through the target tissue, and, after actuating theactuator in the first actuation, moving the cannula having the needleand the second implant disposed therein to a second location adjacent tothe target tissue. The surgical method further includes, after movingthe cannula, actuating the actuator in the second actuation to advancethe second implant and the distal portion of the needle out of thecannula and through the target tissue. The suture is attached to each ofthe first and second implants extending through the target tissue. Thesurgical method can vary in any number of ways, such as the targettissue being a meniscus and/or the target tissue being at one of a knee,a hip, and a shoulder of the patient.

In another aspect, a surgical method is provided that in one embodimentincludes advancing a needle having first and second pledgets releasablymated thereto through a tissue of a patient to move the first pledgetthrough the tissue to a far side of the tissue. The first pledget isreleasably mated to the needle by a press fit of a suture between thefirst pledget and the needle, and the second pledget is releasably matedto the needle by a press fit of the suture between the second pledgetand the needle. The surgical method also includes retracting the needlethrough the tissue, the first pledget remaining on the far side of thetissue and the suture extending through the tissue from the firstpledget, and, after the retraction of the needle, advancing the needlethrough the tissue again to move the second pledget through the tissueto the far side of the tissue. The surgical method further includesretracting the needle again through the tissue, the second pledgetremaining on the far side of the tissue and the suture extending throughthe tissue from the second pledget.

The surgical method can have any number of variations. For example, thesurgical method can include, after the retraction of the needle andbefore advancing the needle through the tissue again, repositioning theneedle relative to the tissue. For another example, the retraction ofthe needle can overcome a force of the press fit of the suture betweenthe first pledget and the needle, and the retraction of the needle canagain overcome a force of the press fit of the suture between the secondpledget and the needle.

For yet another example, the surgical method can include, after theretraction of the needle, tensioning the suture to toggle the firstpledget relative to the tissue, and, after the retraction of the needleagain, tensioning the suture to toggle the second pledget relative tothe tissue. In some embodiments, the tensioning of the suture to togglethe first pledget and the tensioning of the suture to toggle the secondpledget can occur simultaneously. In some embodiments, one of thetensioning of the suture to toggle the first pledget and the tensioningof the suture to toggle the second pledget can occur before the other.The suture can have a first length thereof passing through an interiorof a second length thereof associated with the first pledget and has athird length thereof passing through an interior of a fourth lengththereof associated with the second pledget. The interior passages canallow the one of the tensioning of the suture to toggle the firstpledget and the tensioning of the suture to toggle the second pledget tooccur before the other.

For still another example, the surgical method can include removing theneedle from the patient, the first and second pledgets and the sutureremaining in the patient. For another example, the tissue can be ameniscus. In some embodiments, the needle and the first pledget can beadvanced through the meniscus on one side of a tear in the meniscus, andthe needle and the second pledget can be advanced through the meniscuson an opposite side of the tear in the meniscus. For yet anotherexample, the tissue can be at one of a knee, a hip, and a shoulder ofthe patient.

In another embodiment, a surgical method is provided that includesadvancing a first needle having a first pledget releasably mated theretothrough a tissue of a patient to move the first pledget through thetissue to a far side of the tissue. The first pledget is coupled to asuture that is also coupled to a second pledget. The method alsoincludes removing the first needle from the patient, the first pledgetremaining within the patient on the far side of the tissue and thesuture extending through the tissue from the first pledget. The methodalso includes advancing a second needle having the second pledgetreleasably mated thereto through the tissue to move the second pledgetthrough the tissue to the far side of the tissue, and removing thesecond needle from the patient, the second pledget remaining within thepatient on the far side of the tissue and the suture extending throughthe tissue from the second pledget.

The method can have any number of variations. For example, the methodcan include, with the first pledget on the far side of the tissue,tensioning the suture to toggle the first pledget relative to thetissue, and, with the second pledget on the far side of the tissue,tensioning the suture to toggle the second pledget relative to thetissue. For another example, the first pledget can be releasably matedto the first needle via a second suture extending between the firstpledget and the first needle, and the second pledget can be releasablymated to the second needle via a third suture extending between thesecond pledget and the second needle. In at least some embodiments, themethod can also include cutting the second suture to release the firstneedle from the first pledget, and cutting the third suture to releasethe second needle from the second pledget. For yet another example, thetissue can be a meniscus. In at least some embodiments, the first needleand the first pledget can be advanced through the meniscus on one sideof a tear in the meniscus, and the second needle and the second pledgetcan be advanced through the meniscus on an opposite side of the tear inthe meniscus. For still another example, the tissue can be at one of aknee, a hip, and a shoulder of the patient.

In another embodiment, a surgical method is provided that includesrotating a driver to drive an implant mated thereto through tissue tomove the implant from being located entirely within a first cavity onone side of a tissue to being located entirely within a second cavity onan opposite side of the tissue, and withdrawing the driver from theimplant to move the driver from the second cavity to the first cavity,the implant remaining entirely within the second cavity. The implant hasan open proximal end, and the driver being mated to the implant includesa distal portion of the driver extending through the open proximal end.The implant has an external thread that threads the tissue during theimplant's passage therethrough.

The method can vary in any number of ways. For example, the implant canhave a pointed distal tip and can be non-cannulated. For anotherexample, the implant can have an inner lumen extending therethrough suchthat the implant is cannulated, and the driver can have a pointed distaltip that is located distal to the implant mated to the driver. For yetanother example, the implant can have a suture mating feature in anintermediate portion thereof that is configured to mate to a suture, andthe rotation of the driver can cause the implant to rotate relative tothe suture mated to the suture mating feature. The suture mating featurecan include one of a soft coupling, a groove extending circumferentiallyaround the implant, a plurality of sutures extending between proximaland distal rigid portions of the implant, a ring of material attachingtogether proximal and distal rigid portions of the implant andconfigured to flex radially inward in response to tension of the suturetherearound, and a plurality of fabric strips extending between proximaland distal rigid portions of the implant.

For still another example, a suture can be coupled to the implant andcan extend from the first cavity to the second cavity in response to theimplant being moved to the second cavity. The suture can be coupled to asecond implant, and the rotation of the driver to drive the implant cannot rotate the second implant. The surgical method can also include,after withdrawing the driver from the implant, mating the driver to thesecond implant, and rotating the driver to drive the second implantmated thereto through the tissue to move the implant from being locatedentirely within the first cavity to being located entirely within thesecond cavity. The rotation of the driver to drive the second implantcan not rotate the implant.

For yet another example, the tissue can be a meniscus. For anotherexample, the tissue can be at one of a knee, a hip, and a shoulder ofthe patient.

In another embodiment, a surgical method is provided that includesadvancing a cannula through tissue of a patient such that a proximalportion of the cannula is located outside of the patient and a distalportion of the cannula is located within the patient. The cannulaincludes concentric inner and outer tubes that have distal ends fixedtogether. The surgical method also includes, with the distal portion ofthe cannula located within the patient, causing the distal portion tobend at an angle relative to a target tissue within the patient bymoving the outer tube relative to the inner tube. The surgical methodfurther includes, after causing the distal portion to bend, advancing asurgical device through the cannula.

The surgical method can vary in any number of ways. For example, thecannula can be advanced through the tissue with the distal portion at azero angle, and the angle to which the cannula is bent can be a non-zeroangle. For another example, the cannula can be bent from one non-zeroangle to another non-zero angle. For yet another example, the cannulacan be bent from a non-zero angle to a zero angle. For still anotherexample, the surgical device can include a needle coupled to at leastone pledget and at least one suture attached to the at least onepledget, and the needle can be configured to guide the at least onepledget and the at least one suture through a tissue. For anotherexample, the target tissue can be a meniscus. For yet another example,the tissue can be at one of a knee, a hip, and a shoulder of thepatient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

This invention will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an implant;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 1 coupled to aneedle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the implant and needle of FIG. 2 withthe implant coupled to a suture;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implant;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 5 coupled to aneedle;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the implant and needle of FIG. 5 withthe implant coupled to a suture;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an implant;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the implant of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 7 coupled to aneedle;

FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of the implant and needle of FIG.8;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a distal portion of the needle of FIG.8;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a distal portion of another embodimentof a needle;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implant;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of still another embodiment of animplant;

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of another embodimentof an implant coupled to a suture including a noose;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the implant of FIG.11 coupled to a driver and the suture of FIG. 11 coupled to anothersuture;

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of yet anotherembodiment of an implant coupled to a suture including a noose;

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the implant of FIG.13 coupled to a driver and the suture of FIG. 13 coupled to anothersuture;

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of another embodimentof an implant;

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the implant of FIG.15 coupled to a driver and a suture;

FIG. 17 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of still anotherembodiment of an implant;

FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of the implant of FIG.17 coupled to a driver and a suture;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implantcoupled to a suture, the implant being in a deployed orientation;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the implant and suture of FIG. 19, theimplant being in a delivery orientation;

FIG. 21 is a perspective, partially transparent view of the implant andsuture of FIG. 20 coupled to a needle;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of an implantcoupled to a suture, the implant being in a deployed orientation;

FIG. 23 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofan implant;

FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of the implant of FIG. 23 coupledto a needle;

FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the implant of FIG. 23 and theimplant of FIG. 7 coupled to a needle;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an implantcoupled to a needle;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the implant of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the implant of FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a side view of the implant of FIG. 1 and the implant of FIG.4 coupled to a suture;

FIG. 30 is a side view of two implants of FIG. 4 coupled to a sutureincluding finger traps;

FIG. 31 is a side view of two implants of FIG. 4 coupled to a firstsuture including finger traps and two additional implants of FIG. 4coupled to a second suture including finger traps;

FIG. 32 is a side view of two implants of FIG. 4 coupled to a sutureincluding finger traps, the suture attached to a protective member;

FIG. 33 is a side view of two implants of FIG. 4 coupled to a firstsuture including finger traps and two additional implants of FIG. 4coupled to a second suture including finger traps, the sutures attachedto a protective member;

FIG. 34 is a top schematic view of one embodiment of a suture and asuture loop coupled to an implant;

FIG. 35 is a side schematic view of the implant, suture, and suture loopof FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is an end schematic view of the implant, suture, and suture loopof FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 is an end schematic view of another embodiment of a suture and asuture loop coupled to an implant;

FIG. 38 is a side schematic view of yet another embodiment of a sutureand a suture loop coupled to an implant;

FIG. 39 is a top schematic view of still another embodiment of a sutureand a suture loop coupled to an implant;

FIG. 40 is a side schematic view of the implant, suture, and suture loopof FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is an end schematic view of the implant, suture, and suture loopof FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is a side view of two implants of FIG. 30 each coupled to aneedle and a suture shuttle including a protrusion;

FIG. 43 is a side view of two implants of FIG. 30 each coupled to aneedle and a suture shuttle;

FIG. 44 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with a first needle and afirst implant advanced therethrough;

FIG. 45 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 44 with thefirst needle withdrawn therefrom and the first implant being tensioned;

FIG. 46 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 45 with asecond needle and a second implant advanced therethrough;

FIG. 47 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 46 with thesecond needle withdrawn therefrom and the second implant beingtensioned;

FIG. 48 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 46 with thefirst and second implants being tensioned;

FIG. 49 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with one of the needlesof FIG. 43 and one of the implants of FIG. 43 advanced therethrough;

FIG. 50 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 49 with theone of the implants being tensioned;

FIG. 51 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 50 with theone of the needles removed and the one of the implants being tensioned;

FIG. 52 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 51 withanother of the needles of FIG. 35 and another of the implants of FIG. 35advanced therethrough;

FIG. 53 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 52 with theother of the implants being tensioned;

FIG. 54 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 53 with theother of the needles removed and the other of the implants beingtensioned;

FIG. 55 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 54 with thetwo implants being tensioned;

FIG. 56 is a side cross-sectional, partial schematic view of anotherembodiment of a needle;

FIG. 57 is a side, partially cross-sectional view of the implant of FIG.1 coupled to the needle of FIG. 56;

FIG. 58 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with the needle of FIG.56 advanced therethrough, the needle having the implant of FIG. 1 loadedthereon;

FIG. 59 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 58 with theimplant advanced therethrough;

FIG. 60 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 59 with theneedle withdrawn;

FIG. 61 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 60 with theimplant having been tensioned;

FIG. 62 is a side cross-sectional, partial view of embodiments of twoimplants coupled to another embodiment of a needle;

FIG. 63 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with the needle and oneof the implants of FIG. 62 advanced therethrough;

FIG. 64 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 63 with theneedle withdrawn;

FIG. 65 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 64 with theother of the implants advanced along the needle;

FIG. 66 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 65 with theneedle and the other of the implants advanced therethrough;

FIG. 67 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 66 with theneedle withdrawn;

FIG. 68 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 67 with thetwo implants having been tensioned;

FIG. 69 is a side cross-sectional view of the implants and the needle ofFIG. 62;

FIG. 70 is a side cross-sectional view of two of the implants of FIG. 1each coupled to a needle;

FIG. 71 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with one of the needlesof FIG. 70 advanced therethrough;

FIG. 72 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 71 with oneof the implants of FIG. 70 advanced therethrough and with the one of theimplants being tensioned;

FIG. 73 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 72 with theother of the needles of FIG. 70 and the other of the implants of FIG. 70advanced therethrough;

FIG. 74 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 73 with theneedles removed and with the implants being tensioned;

FIG. 75 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with the implant anddriver of FIG. 12 advanced therethrough;

FIG. 76 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 75 with thedriver withdrawn;

FIG. 77 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 76 with theimplant tensioned;

FIG. 78 is a schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 77 withanother implant coupled thereto;

FIG. 79 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with two of the implantsof FIG. 13 coupled thereto;

FIG. 80 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with two of the implantsof FIG. 15 coupled thereto;

FIG. 81 is a schematic view of meniscus tissue with two of the implantsof FIG. 17 coupled thereto;

FIG. 82 is a partially transparent side schematic view of one embodimentof a delivery system having two implants disposed in a shaft thereof;

FIG. 83 is a side schematic view of meniscus tissue with the deliverysystem of FIG. 82 positioned adjacent thereto;

FIG. 84 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 83 withone of the implants advanced therethrough and with a needle of thedelivery system advanced therethrough;

FIG. 85 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 84 withthe needle withdrawn;

FIG. 86 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 85 withthe other of the implants advanced within the shaft;

FIG. 87 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 86 withthe delivery system changed in position relative thereto;

FIG. 88 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 87 withthe needle and the other of the implants advanced therethrough;

FIG. 89 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 88 withthe needle withdrawn;

FIG. 90 is a side schematic view of the meniscus tissue of FIG. 89 withthe delivery system removed;

FIG. 91 is a side transparent schematic view of one embodiment of asteerable cannula having an implant, needle, and suture at leastpartially disposed therein;

FIG. 92 is a side transparent schematic view of one embodiment of anon-steerable cannula having the implant, needle, and suture of FIG. 91at least partially disposed therein;

FIG. 93 is a side transparent schematic view of another embodiment of anon-steerable cannula having the implant, needle, and suture of FIG. 91at least partially disposed therein;

FIG. 94 is a side transparent schematic view of another embodiment of adelivery system having a needle and two implants disposed therein;

FIG. 95 is a side transparent schematic view of another embodiment of adelivery system having two needles and two implants disposed therein;

FIG. 96 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a steerablecannula;

FIG. 97 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the steerable cannulaof FIG. 96;

FIG. 98 is a perspective exploded view of the steerable cannula of FIG.96;

FIG. 99 is a perspective view of an outer tube of the steerable cannulaof FIG. 96;

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of an inner tube of the steerable cannulaof FIG. 96;

FIG. 101 is a perspective view of a distal portion of the steerablecannula of FIG. 96;

FIG. 102 is another perspective view of the distal portion of thesteerable cannula of FIG. 96;

FIG. 103 is a perspective view of anther embodiment of a steerablecannula;

FIG. 104 is a cross-sectional view of the steerable cannula of FIG. 103;

FIG. 105 is a view of a portion of the steerable cannula of FIG. 104including arrows indicative of movement;

FIG. 106 is another view of the portion of the steerable cannula of FIG.105 including arrows indicative of movement;

FIG. 107 is another view of the portion of the steerable cannula of FIG.105 showing possible detent locations;

FIG. 108 is a side, partially transparent schematic view of oneembodiment of a lockable cannula positioned in tissue;

FIG. 109 is a side schematic view of another embodiment of a lockablecannula;

FIG. 110A is a side schematic view of yet another embodiment of alockable cannula;

FIG. 110B is a bottom view of the lockable cannula of FIG. 110A;

FIG. 111A is a partial side schematic view of another embodiment of alockable cannula;

FIG. 111B is a side view of a lock of the lockable cannula of FIG. 111A;

FIG. 112 is a side schematic view of yet another embodiment of alockable cannula; and

FIG. 113 is a side schematic view of another embodiment of a lockablecannula positioned in tissue and with a delivery system configured to belocked thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices andmethods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. Thefeatures illustrated or described in connection with one exemplaryembodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the present invention.

Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of theembodiments generally have similar features, and thus within aparticular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is notnecessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent thatlinear or circular dimensions are used in the description of thedisclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are notintended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunctionwith such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the artwill recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensionscan easily be determined for any geometric shape. Sizes and shapes ofthe systems and devices, and the components thereof, can depend at leaston the anatomy of the subject in which the systems and devices will beused, the size and shape of components with which the systems anddevices will be used, and the methods and procedures in which thesystems and devices will be used.

Meniscal repair devices, systems, and methods are provided.

Implants

Implants, also referred to herein as pledgets, configured to beimplanted in a body of a patient are discussed below. The implants areconfigured to couple to a suture and to be used in a meniscal repairprocedure, and in particular for surgical procedures for repairing ameniscal tear at a knee. The implants discussed below are thus discussedwith respect to meniscal repair although they can be used in othersurgical procedures, e.g., procedures in which a suture is used to tietissue and/or other structures, such as in tissue repair surgicalprocedure at a shoulder or a hip.

An implant can be absorbable or non-absorbable. An implant can be madefrom any of a variety of materials, e.g., Polyether ether ketone (PEEK),Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA), BIOCRYL® RAPIDE®, stainless steel,etc. An implant can be formed by a variety of techniques, for example byan injection molding process such as overmolding or by a post-moldingprocess such as post-molding machining.

An implant can have a variety of sizes. In an exemplary embodiment, theimplant has an outer diameter of about 0.052 in., the inner lumen of theimplant has a diameter of about 0.035 in. (e.g., the implant has aninner diameter of about 0.035 in.), the implant has a length of about5.3 mm, and each of the implant's holes has an ovular shape and has awidth that is about half a height thereof (e.g., a width of about 0.015in. and a height of about 0.025 in., or a width of about 0.020 in. and aheight of about 0.040 in.). A person skilled in the art will appreciatethat for measurement values mentioned herein, the measurement value maynot be precisely at a value (e.g., precisely at 0.035 in.) butnevertheless be considered to be at about that value due to one or morefactors such as manufacturing tolerances and/or tolerances inmeasurement devices. The holes can each have a suture extendingtherethrough, as discussed further below, that in an exemplaryembodiment has a diameter of up to about 0.020 in., e.g., in a range ofabout 0.018 to 0.025 in., which facilitates free sliding of thesuture(s) through the holes after deployment of the implant andsuture(s) into a patient's body, e.g., following deployment of theimplant and suture(s) from a deployment device such as a deliveryneedle.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of an implant 10 configured to beimplanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIG. 1shows the implant 10 as a standalone element. The implant 10 has aninner lumen 12 (also referred to herein as an “inner passageway”)extending therethrough so as to be cannulated and have open proximal anddistal ends 14, 16.

The implant 10 has a plurality of holes 18 (also referred to herein as“through holes”) formed through a sidewall thereof and in communicationwith the implant's inner lumen 12. The holes 18 are each configured toreceive a suture 20 therethrough. The holes 18 each have a circularshape, although the holes 18 can have another shape (e.g., ovular,triangular, D-shaped, etc.). The holes 18 each having a circular shapeor an ovular shape helps prevent the hole's walls from tearing orsnagging of the suture 20 extending therethrough.

The implant 10 in this illustrated embodiment has six holes 18 withthree holes 18 on one side of the implant 10 and three holes 18 on anopposite side of the implant 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the implant10 has at least four holes 18 formed through its sidewall with a samenumber of holes 18 formed on opposed sides of the implant 10. In otherwords, at least two of the holes 18 are on one side of the implant 10and at least two other holes 18 are on an opposite side of the implant10. The holes 18 on one side of the implant 10 are aligned with theholes 18 on the other side of the implant 10 to facilitate passage of asuture 20 through aligned holes 18, and hence also through the implant'sinternal cannulation between the aligned holes 18 positionedsubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the implant 10,and to facilitate balanced positioning of the implant 10 against tissuein response to tensioning the suture(s) 20 attached thereto. A personskilled in the art will appreciate that the suture 20 may not extendprecisely perpendicular to the implant's longitudinal axis butnevertheless be considered to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axisdue to one or more factors such as manufacturing tolerances and/ortolerances in measurement devices.

The implant 10 is symmetrical, e.g., its longitudinal halves are mirrorimages of one another. The implant 10 has different cross-sectionalshapes along its longitudinal length. The implant 10 has an irregularcross-sectional shape along a substantial longitudinal length thereofthat extends distally from the implant's proximal end to an axialposition that is distal of all the holes 18. The irregularcross-sectional shape has a curved or arced portion and a rectangularportion that defines a fin 22 along this length of the implant 10 havingthe irregular cross-sectional shape. The implant 10 has a circularcross-sectional shape from the axial position where the irregularcross-sectional shape ends to a distal end of the implant. The circularcross-sectional shape has a varying diameter due to the implant 10having a tapered distal end. The tapered distal end may facilitatepassage of the implant 10 through tissue with the implant's distal endleading the implant's advancement through the tissue. The tapering canbe entirely distal to the implant's holes 18, which may facilitate thepinching of suture(s) 20 extending through the implant's holes 18 by aneedle also coupled to the implant 10.

The implant 10 can be delivered into a body of a patient and deployedtherein in a variety of ways. FIG. 2 shows the implant 10 coupled to aneedle 24 (also referred to herein as a “delivery needle,” “stylette,”and a “delivery tool”) configured to deliver the implant 10 into a bodyof a patient and to deploy the implant 10 therein. The needle 24 extendscoaxially through the implant 10 with a distal portion extendingdistally beyond the implant 10 and a proximal portion extendingproximally beyond the implant. The needle 24 is a flexible needle, aswill be discussed further below. As also discussed further below, theneedle 24 pinches the suture(s) 20 extending through the implant's holes18 against the sidewall of the implant 10 in a press fit that stillallows deployment of the implant 10, with the suture(s) 20 attachedthereto, from the needle 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the needle 24is not cannulated.

FIG. 3 shows the implant 10 coupled to the needle 24 and to a suture 20including a sliding knot. Each of the implant's through holes 18 has thesuture 20 passed therethrough. One suture is shown coupled to theimplant 10 and needle 24 in this illustrated embodiment, but a differentnumber of sutures (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) can be coupled to theimplant 10 and needle 24. As discussed further below, suture(s) coupledto an implant can be attached together in a variety of ways, such as viaone or more knots or using one or more finger traps. As also discussedfurther below, the needle 24 is configured to deploy therefrom theimplant 10 and the sutures 20.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 26 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIG.4 shows the implant 26 as a standalone element, FIG. 5 shows the implant26 coupled to a needle 28 configured to deliver the implant 26 into abody of a patient and to deploy the implant 26 therein, and FIG. 6 showsthe implant 26 coupled to the needle 28 and to a single suture 30. Theimplant 26 is similar to the implant 10 of FIGS. 1-3 except it has fourholes 32 through its sidewall, two holes 32 on either side of theimplant 26. The needle 28 is the same in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6.

FIGS. 7-8A illustrate another embodiment of an implant 34 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIGS.7 and 7A show the implant 34 as a standalone element, and FIGS. 8 and 8Ashow the implant 34 coupled to a needle 36 configured to deliver theimplant 34 into a body of a patient and to deploy the implant 34therein. The implant 34 is similar to the implant 10 of FIGS. 1-3 exceptit (a) has four holes 38 through its sidewall, two holes 38 on eitherside of the implant 34, (b) the holes 38 each have an ovular or oblongshape instead of a circular shape, and (c) it has a circularcross-sectional shape along its entire longitudinal length. The holes 38each having an elongated oblong shape may help reduce implant 34disruption.

An inner lumen 40 of the implant 34 of FIG. 7 has a circularcross-sectional shape but can have another cross-sectional shape, suchas a D-shaped cross-section (see, e.g., FIG. 26). As shown in thecross-sectional views of FIGS. 7A and 8A, the inner lumen 40 of theimplant 34 has a constant first diameter in the proximal non-taperingportion of the implant 34 and a constant second diameter in the taperingdistal portion of the implant 34, where the second diameter is less thanthe first diameter. The smaller distal diameter of the lumen 40 allows astop surface 42 to be formed in the implant at a junction of the firstand second diameters. The stop surface 42 extends circumferentially. Thestop surface 42 is configured to abut a corresponding stop surface 44 ofthe needle 36, as shown in FIG. 8A. The needle 36 is also shown in FIG.9A. The implant's stop surface 42 is a proximal-facing surface thatengages the needle's stop surface 44, which is a distal-facing surface.The engaged stop surfaces 42, 44 may facilitate deployment of theimplant 34 from the needle 36, as discussed further below.

FIG. 10A illustrates another embodiment of an implant 46 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. Theimplant 46 is similar to the implant 34 of FIGS. 7-8A except it includesa retention feature 48 at its proximal end. The retention feature 48 isconfigured to help retain the implant 46 on the side of the meniscus onwhich it is deployed, e.g., to prevent the implant 46 from backing outthrough the meniscus when the needle is backed out after deploying theimplant 46. The retention feature in this illustrated embodiment is aflared proximal end such that the implant has a proximal end that tapersradially outward, unlike its distal end that tapers radially inward. Theexemplary implant outer diameter above of about 0.052 in. is without theflared proximal end. The retention feature 48 may facilitate toggling ofthe implant 46 against tissue by helping to locate the toggled implant46 appropriately against the surface of the tissue.

FIG. 10B illustrates another embodiment of an implant 50 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. Theimplant 50 is similar to the implant 46 of FIG. 10A except its retentionfeature 52 at a proximal end thereof is in the form of a plurality ofbarbs that extend radially outward. The implant 50 includes three barbs,but an implant can include another number of barbs. In an exemplaryembodiment, the implant 50 includes a plurality of barbs spacedequidistantly around the implant's perimeter, which may facilitatebalanced retention of the implant. The exemplary implant outer diameterabove of about 0.052 in. is without the plurality of barbs.

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 54 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIG.11 shows (in cross-section) the implant 54 coupled to a suture 56 (alsoreferred to herein as a “coupling filament”), and FIG. 12 shows (incross-section) the implant 54 and the suture 56 coupled to a driver 58configured to deliver the implant 54 into a body of a patient and todeploy the implant 54 therein. The suture 56 can be attached to theimplant 54 in any of a variety of ways, as will be appreciated by aperson skilled in the art, such as by being crimped thereon, attachedthereto with adhesive, tied thereto, etc. FIG. 12 also shows a secondsuture 60 coupled to the suture 56, with the two sutures 56, 60 attachedtogether via a swivel coupling 62. The second suture 60 includes astopper knot 64 to facilitate coupling of the sutures 56, 60 at theswivel coupling 62 by coupling to a noose 66 (also referred to herein asa “swivel loop”) of the suture 56 configured to cinch around the secondsuture 60. The swivel coupling 62 is configured to allow the driver 58to rotate and thereby rotate the implant 54 coupled thereto withoutrotating the collapsible suture bridge 60 but instead only rotating thesuture 56 attached to the implant 54 distal to the swivel coupling 62.In this way, another implant coupled to the collapsible suture bridge 60will not rotate in response to the driver 58 being rotated to drive theimplant 54 through tissue.

The implant 54 includes a thread 68 that spirals around an exteriorsurface thereof. The thread 68 may facilitate passage of the implant 54through tissue by allowing the implant 54 to be self-propelling.

The implant 54 has a closed distal end such that the implant 54 is notcannulated. The distal end tapers distally, which may facilitate passageof the implant 54 through tissue. The distal tip of the implant ispointed, which may allow the implant 54 to puncture an opening in tissuethrough which the implant 54 may pass through manipulation of the driver58 coupled thereto.

The implant 54 has a proximal drive feature 70 configured to releasablymate with a driver such as the illustrated driver 58. The drive feature70 includes a bore formed in a proximal end of the implant 54 configuredto receive a distal end of the driver 58 therein. The bore has a shapethat matches the shape of the driver's distal end, which in thisillustrated embodiment is a hex shape but that can be other shapes.

FIGS. 13-14 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 72 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIG.13 shows (in cross-section) the implant 72 coupled to a suture 74, andFIG. 14 shows (in cross-section) the implant 72 and the suture 74coupled to a driver 76 configured to deliver the implant 72 into a bodyof a patient and to deploy the implant 72 therein. The implant 72 issimilar to the implant 54 of FIGS. 11-12 except it is cannulated.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 78 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIG.15 shows (in cross-section) the implant 78 as a standalone element, andFIG. 16 shows (in cross-section) the implant 78 and coupled to a suture80 and to a driver 82 configured to deliver the implant 78 into a bodyof a patient and to deploy the implant 78 therein. The implant 78 issimilar to the implant 54 of FIGS. 11-12 except it includes a suturemating feature 84 in the form of a groove extending circumferentiallytherearound. The groove 84 can be configured to seat a suture therein,as shown in FIG. 12 in which a suture loop 86 of the suture 80 is seatedtherein. The suture 80 is in the form of a collapsible suture configuredto be collapsed so as to cinch the suture loop 86 around the implant 78within the groove 84. The groove 84 is located distal to the bore 88formed in the implant 78 that mates with a driver, which may allow thesuture 80 to be cinched around a solid portion of the implant 78 andthereby be cinched around a more structurally stable portion of theimplant 78 than the hollowed portion of the implant 78 that includes thebore 88. The groove 84 is configured to allow the driver 82 to rotateand thereby rotate the implant 78 coupled thereto without rotating thecollapsible suture bridge 80 but instead only rotating the implant 78within the noose 86 seated in the groove 54. In this way, anotherimplant coupled to the collapsible suture bridge 80 will not rotate inresponse to the driver 82 being rotated to drive the implant 78 throughtissue.

FIGS. 17-18 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 90 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. FIG.17 shows (in cross-section) the implant 90 as a standalone element, andFIG. 18 shows (in cross-section) the implant 90 and coupled to a suture92 and to a driver 94 configured to deliver the implant 90 into a bodyof a patient and to deploy the implant 90 therein. The implant 90 issimilar to the implant 72 of FIGS. 13-14 except it includes a suturemating feature 96 in the form of a soft coupling extendingcircumferentially therearound. The soft coupling 96 is configured toallow the driver 94 to rotate and thereby rotate the implant 90 coupledthereto without rotating the collapsible suture bridge 92 but insteadonly rotating the implant 90 within the noose 98 seated in the softcoupling 96. In this way, another implant coupled to the collapsiblesuture bridge 92 will not rotate in response to the driver 94 beingrotated to drive the implant 90 through tissue.

The soft coupling 96 can be configured to seat a suture, as shown inFIG. 18 in which a suture loop 98 of the suture 92 is seated by the softcoupling 96 by being tied therearound. The suture 92 is in the form of acollapsible suture configured to be collapsed so as to cinch the sutureloop 98 around the implant 90 and collapse the soft coupling 96 to asmaller diameter than rigid portions of the implant 90 on either side ofthe soft coupling 96. The suture 92 can be coupled to the soft coupling96 after the driver 94 has been advanced through the inner lumen thereofat least so the driver 94 extends within the implant 90 throughout alongitudinal length of the soft coupling 96. In this way, the suture 92will not be cinched too tightly to allow passage of the driver 94through the implant 90. The soft coupling 96 can have a variety ofconfigurations, such as a plurality of sutures extending between theproximal and distal rigid portions of the implant, a ring of material(e.g., fabric, a biocompatible polymer, etc.) attaching together theproximal and distal rigid portions of the implant 90 and configured toflex radially inward in response to tension of the suture 92therearound, a plurality of fabric strips extending between the proximaland distal rigid portions of the implant 90, etc.

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 100 configuredto be implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair.FIGS. 19-20 show the implant 100 coupled to a suture 102, and FIG. 21shows the implant 100 coupled to the suture 102 and to a needle 104configured to deliver the implant 100 into a body of a patient and todeploy the implant 100 therein.

The implant 100 is configured to move from a delivery orientation (shownin FIGS. 20-21), in which the implant 100 is configured to be deliveredinto a body of a patient, to a deployed orientation (shown in FIG. 19),in which the implant 100 is configured to be implanted at a desiredposition within the patient's body. The implant 100 has a fold zone(e.g., a scored area, a weakened area, an area more flexible than wings106 of the implant 100 on either size thereof, etc.) in a mid-portionthereof at which the implant 100 is configured to fold. The implant 100in the delivery orientation is folded at the fold zone, and the implant100 in the deployed configuration is not folded at the fold.

The implant 100 has a plurality of holes 108 formed therethrough. Theholes 108 are each configured to receive a suture therethrough. Theholes 108 each have a circular shape, although the holes 108 can haveanother shape (e.g., ovular, triangular, etc.), similar to thatdiscussed above regarding the implant 10 of FIG. 1. The implant 100 inthis illustrated embodiment has one hole 108 through one wing 106 of theimplant 100 and one hole 108 through the other wing 106 of the implant100, but each wing 106 can have another number of holes 108 same as oneanother. The holes 108 on one wing 106 of the implant 100 are alignedwith the holes 108 on the other wing 106 of the implant 100 when theimplant 100 is in the delivery orientation to facilitate passage of asuture through aligned holes 108 and to facilitate balanced positioningof the implant 100 against tissue in response to tensioning thesuture(s) attached thereto.

Only one suture 102 is shown coupled to the implant 100 in thisillustrated embodiment, but a plurality of sutures can be coupled to theimplant 100, e.g., a plurality of sutures passing through a hole 108, aplurality of holes 108 each having one suture passing therethrough, orboth.

The implant 100 can be soaked in a biological substance, such as blood,platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or cytokines.

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of an implant 110 configured tobe implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair. Theimplant 110 is similar to the implant 100 of FIGS. 19-21 except insteadof having square-shaped wings to form a square-shaped folded implant,its wings 112 on either size of its fold zone each have a rectangularshape such that when the implant 110 is folded, the implant 110 has arectangular shape.

FIGS. 23-25 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 114 configuredto be implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair.FIG. 23 shows (in cross-section) the implant 114 as a standaloneelement, and FIGS. 24-25 show (in cross-section) the implant 114 coupledto a needle 118 configured to deliver the implant 114 into a body of apatient and to deploy the implant 114 therein. FIG. 25 also shows theimplant 34 of FIG. 7 coupled to the needle 118, with the implant 114 ofFIG. 23 on a left side of the needle 116 as viewed in FIG. 25 and theimplant 34 of FIG. 7 on a right side of the needle 116 as viewed in FIG.25. The implant 114 of FIG. 23 is similar to the implant 34 of FIG. 7,except its inner lumen 120 has a constant diameter along its length. Theimplant 114 of FIG. 23 thus does not have a stop surface, unlike theimplant 34 of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 26-28 illustrate another embodiment of an implant 122 configuredto be implanted in a body of a patient to facilitate meniscal repair.FIG. 26 shows the implant 122 coupled to a needle 124 configured todeliver the implant into a body of a patient and to deploy the implant122 therein, and FIGS. 27-28 show (FIG. 28 in cross-section) the implant120 as a standalone element. The needle 124 of FIG. 26 is the same asthe needle 116 of FIGS. 24-25. The implant 122 of FIG. 26 is similar tothe implant 34 of FIG. 7, except its inner lumen 126, instead of havinga circular cross-sectional shape, has a D-shaped cross-section. TheD-shaped cross-section allows more material to form the implant 122,e.g., less of the implant 122 is hollow than the implant 34 of FIG. 7,which may make the implant 122 stronger, e.g., more structurally stable,and thus less likely to break during deployment or after implantation.In other words, an implant having an outer diameter and having an innerlumen having a D-shaped cross section will be made of more material thananother implant having that same outer diameter but having a circularcross-sectional shape. The D-shaped cross-section allows a distal tip(e.g., a beveled end or sharp tip) of a stylette to be broader thanwould be advanceable through another shaped cross-section of theimplant's inner lumen, such as a circular shape. The broader distal tipmay reduce dag on the implant as the stylette advances the implantthrough tissue.

Sutures

Meniscus repair typically uses a plurality of implants attached togethervia one or more sutures. The suture(s) can be attached to the implantsin a variety of ways. Various techniques of attaching a suture to aplurality of implants are discussed below. The suture(s) can have any ofa variety of sizes, such as a size in a range of about size #0 to #2-0.

Following delivery of the implants into a body of a patient, thesuture(s) attached to the implants are tensioned to secure the implantsin position. The sutures being able to slide relative to the implantsafter the delivery of the implants into the patient's body thusfacilitates the tensioning of the sutures and hence facilitates securepositioning of the implants within the patient's body to help facilitateproper healing.

One technique for attaching a suture to a plurality of implants uses acollapsible suture, such as the technique used in the OMNISPAN™ SurgicalRepair System (Depuy Mitek, Inc. of Raynham, Mass.). FIG. 29 illustratesone embodiment of such an OMNISPAN™ style technique. FIG. 29 shows theimplant 10 of FIG. 1 on the right and the implant 26 of FIG. 4 on theleft. A collapsible suture 128 that includes a sliding knot is passedthrough the holes 18 of the implant 10 of FIG. 1 on the right, and asuture loop having the suture 128 looped therethrough is passed throughthe holes 32 of the implant 26 of FIG. 4 on the left.

Another technique for attaching a suture to a plurality of implants usesa plurality of finger traps. FIG. 30 illustrates one embodiment of sucha technique. The technique of FIG. 30 is illustrated using two implants26 of FIG. 4 but can be similarly used with other embodiments ofimplants. The implants used with a plurality of finger traps only needfour holes (two each on opposite sides thereof) but can have more holes,e.g., to facilitate manufacturing and/or to facilitate use of theimplants with different suture techniques.

A single suture 130 is coupled to each of the implants 26, with thesuture 130 including a number of finger traps 132 equal to the number ofimplants 26, which in this illustrated embodiment is two. In general,each of the finger traps 132 is an area of the suture 130 that is hollowand through which the suture 130 passes through itself, is slidableuni-directionally, and is locked from sliding in the other direction.Using a single suture 130 that is looped through each of the implants 26may facilitate advancement of the implants 26 and the suture 130 into apatient's body by taking up less space than multiple sutures, may beless likely to tear meniscus because less material need be passedtherethrough than if multiple sutures were used, and/or may make thesuture 130 less likely to snag on an instrument and/or other matter thanif multiple sutures were used, as each of the sutures could potentiallysnag on matter.

After the implants 26 are advanced through the meniscus (or other tissuewith which they are being used), the suture 130 is tensioned by pullingon each of the suture's two tails 134, thereby sliding the suture 130through the finger traps 132. The suture tails 134 can be independentlypulled so as to independently secure each of the implants 26, which mayhelp ensure that each of the implants 26 is appropriately positioned viathe tension since each implant 26 may be more desirably positioned withdifferent tensions applied to the different suture tails. The suturetails 134 can, however, be pulled together if so desired. The suture 130being pulled through a finger trap 132 allows the suture 130 to simplyslide longitudinally along itself in the area of the finger trap 132,which exerts less stress on the suture 130 than the suture 130 beingpulled through a tortuous path, such as when a knot is used instead of afinger trap.

After the suture 130 is tensioned, the tails 134 can be trimmed to allowremoval of excess material from the patient's body. The tails 134 can betrimmed after the suture 130 is pulled through all of the finger traps132 or can be trimmed for any individual finger trap 132 after thesuture tail 134 associated with that finger trap 132 has been pulled.Each tail 134 is trimmed as close as possible to the finger trap 132.Thus, a minimal amount, if any, suture tail will remain present in thebody and thereby minimize damage to cartilage adjacent thereto byrubbing thereagainst during post-surgery movement of the patient sincethe tail will be minimally present, if present at all, unlike suturessecured with knots that need some tail present when the suture istrimmed to help prevent the knot from unraveling post-surgery.

FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture to a plurality of implants uses a plurality of finger traps. Thetechnique of FIG. 31 is illustrated using four implants 26 of FIG. 4 butcan be similarly used with other embodiments of implants. The techniqueof FIG. 31 uses two sets of the construct of FIG. 30, e.g., a first setof two implants 26 and two finger traps 136 and a suture 138 and asecond set of two implants 26 and two finger traps 136 for a total offour implants 26 and four finger traps 136. The two sutures 138 are tiedor otherwise secured together between the four finger traps 136 tosecure the four implants 26 together.

FIG. 32 illustrates another embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture to a plurality of implants uses a plurality of finger traps. Thetechnique of FIG. 32 is illustrated using two implants 26 of FIG. 4 butcan be similarly used with other embodiments of implants. The techniqueof FIG. 32 is similar to the construct of FIG. 30 but includes aprotective member 140 (e.g., a patch, tape, etc.) on the suture 142between the two finger traps 144. The protective member 140 can beattached to the suture 142 in any of a variety of ways, such as byhaving the suture 142 sewn thereto, tied thereto, adhered thereto withadhesive, etc. The protective member 140 is configured to abut a surfaceof the meniscus (or other tissue with which the implants 26 are used)after the suture 142 is tensioned, thereby helping to prevent the suture142 extending along that surface from causing damage to the meniscus (orother tissue) by rubbing thereagainst and/or cheese-wiring therethrough.The suture 142 can be embedded within the protective member 140 so as tonot contact the meniscus (or other tissue) therealong, can be partiallyembedded within the protective member 140 so as to contact the meniscus(or other tissue) therealong less than if the protective member 140 wasnot present, can extend along the protective member 140 on an oppositeside thereof than abuts the meniscus/tissue surface so as to not contactthe meniscus (or other tissue) therealong, or can extend along theprotective member 140 on the same side thereof that abuts themeniscus/tissue surface so as to contact the meniscus (or other tissue)therealong but be less likely to cut into or otherwise damage themeniscus/tissue. The protective member 140 has a rectangular shape inthis illustrated embodiment but can have other shapes.

FIG. 33 illustrates another embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture to a plurality of implants uses a plurality of finger traps. Thetechnique of FIG. 33 is illustrated using four implants 26 of FIG. 4 butcan be similarly used with other embodiments of implants. The techniqueof FIG. 33 is similar to the construct of FIG. 31 but includes aprotective member 146 (e.g., a patch, tape, etc.) on the suture 148between the four finger traps 150. The protective member 146 is similarto the protective member 140 of FIG. 32. The protective member 140 has asquare shape in this illustrated embodiment but can have other shapes.The protective member 146 can be biologically active.

Another technique for attaching a suture to a plurality of implants usesa suture loop. A first suture in the form of a loop extends throughholes formed through a first implant's sidewall, and a second suture inthe form of a strand is coupled to the loop and extends to a secondimplant, e.g., to a third suture in the form of a loop extending throughholes formed through the second implant's sidewall. The second suture isconfigured to be pulled to toggle the implant against tissue, asdiscussed herein. The second suture is configured to slide around thefirst suture loop and around the third suture loop, which may reducefriction of the second suture against the implant when the second sutureis pulled to toggle the implant since the second suture is not beingpulled through the holes formed in the implant.

FIGS. 34-36 illustrate one embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture 151 to an implant 153 using a suture loop 155 that extendsthrough holes 157 a, 157 b extending through a sidewall of the implant153. Trailing ends 151 a, 151 b of the suture 151 trail away from theimplant 153 in a direction opposite to a side 153 a of the implant 153along which the suture 151 extends around a partial outer perimeter ofthe implant 153.

FIG. 37 illustrates another embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture 159 to an implant 161 using a suture loop 163 that extendsthrough holes extending through a sidewall of the implant 161. Trailingends 159 a, 159 b of the suture 159 trail away from the implant 161 in adirection toward a side 161 a of the implant 161 along which the suture159 extends around a partial outer perimeter of the implant 161.

FIG. 38 illustrates another embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture 165 to an implant 167 using a suture loop 169 that extendsthrough holes 171 a, 171 b extending through a sidewall of the implant167. The suture 165 is configured to not slide against any surface ofthe implant 167 when the suture 165 is pulled to toggle the implant 167against tissue such that no friction exists between the suture 165 andthe implant 167 during the pulling that may damage the suture 165 and/orthe implant 167.

FIGS. 39-41 illustrate another embodiment of a technique for attaching asuture 173 to an implant 175 using a suture loop 177 that extendsthrough holes 179 a, 179 ab extending through a sidewall of the implant175. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 34-36 inthat trailing ends 173 a, 173 b of the suture 173 trail away from theimplant 175 in a direction opposite to a side 175 a of the implant 175along which the suture 173 extends around a partial outer perimeter ofthe implant 175. The implant 175 in this embodiment, however, has agroove 181 formed in an outer surface thereof that is configured to seatthe suture 173 therein. The suture 173 is configured to slide within thegroove 181 when the suture 173 is pulled to toggle the implant 167,which may provide a smooth and predictable surface against which thesuture 173 may slide while the suture 173 is being pulled, therebyreducing chances of the suture 173 and/or the implant 175 being damagedduring the suture pulling. The groove 181 extends circumferentiallyaround an entire perimeter of the implant 175, which may allow thesuture 173 to be seated in the groove 181 regardless of a direction thesuture's trailing ends 173 a, 173 b extend from the implant 175. Thegroove 181 can, however, extend around less than the entire perimeter ofthe implant 175.

Needles

The implants described herein can be advanced through tissue in any of avariety of ways. For example, the implants can be delivered to asurgical site using one or more needles. The one or more needles can beconfigured to cut tissue (e.g., meniscus) to facilitate passage of theimplant(s) associated therewith through the tissue since the implantsmay not be configured to cut tissue. An implant not being configured tocut tissue (e.g., the implant lacks a cutting surface) may help reducechances of the implant inadvertently damaging tissue and/or other matterwithin the patient's body post-surgery.

In some embodiments, each of a plurality of implants coupled togetherwith one or more sutures can be coupled to its own needle configured toadvance its associated implant through tissue (e.g., meniscus in ameniscal repair procedure) such that multiple needles are used toadvance the implants through the tissue. Using multiple needles mayrequire multiple incisions to be made in the patient, one incision foreach needle, and may require an additional incision to facilitate thetying together of sutures threaded through tissue with the needles. In ameniscus repair procedure, needles may be inserted through the sides ofthe knee instead of through the back of the knee in order to avoidpossible damage to vital structures including veins and nerves at theback of the knee. In meniscus repair, use of multiple needles isgenerally referred to as an inside-out surgical technique.

An embodiment of advancing any of the constructs of FIGS. 29-33 isillustrated in FIGS. 44-48 in which a plurality of flexible needles areused to advance the plurality of implants, with each of the needleassociated with one of the implants, through meniscus tissue in ameniscus repair procedure, although the method of FIGS. 44-48 can beused in other types of surgical procedures.

FIG. 44 shows a first one of the needles 152 a and its associated firstimplant 154 a advanced through the meniscus on one side of a tear 156 inthe meniscus 158. FIG. 45 shows the first needle 152 a having beenadvanced back out of the meniscus and removed and the suture tail 160 aassociated with the first implant 154 a being tensioned to toggle thefirst implant 154 a into position against the meniscus 158. FIG. 46shows a second one of the needles 152 b and its associated secondimplant 154 b advanced through the meniscus 158 on the other side of thetear 156 in the meniscus 158. FIG. 47 shows the second needle 152 bhaving been advanced back out of the meniscus 158 and removed and thesuture tail 160 b associated with the second implant 154 b beingtensioned to toggle the second implant 154 b into position against themeniscus 158. FIG. 48 shows the first and second suture tails 160 a, 160b being tensioned to secure their associated first and second implants154 a, 154 b in position against the meniscus 158 on either side of thetear 156. As shown in FIGS. 44-48, the needles 152 a, 152 b need notpass through skin to outside of the patient's body prior to the suturesbeing tensioned and the implants 154 a, 154 b secured in positionagainst the meniscus 158.

FIG. 42 illustrates one embodiment of a construct for advancing aplurality of implants through tissue using a plurality of needles, eachneedle being flexible and being associated with one of the implants. Theconstruct of FIG. 42 is illustrated using two implants 26 of FIG. 4attached together using the technique of FIG. 30 that includes fingertraps 132 but can be similarly used with other embodiments of implantsand suture attachment techniques, such as the techniques of FIGS. 29 and31-33.

In the construct of FIG. 42, each of the needles 162 has a sutureshuttle 164 trailing distally therefrom, and the suture shuttle 164includes a protrusion 166 (e.g., a knot, a bead, etc.) at a point alonga length thereof. Each of the needles 162 is located distal to itsassociated implant 26 with the protrusion 166 of the associated suture164 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the implant's innerlumen so as to act as a stop limiting distal advancement of the needle162 relative to its associated implant 26. The protrusion 166 also helpsensure that the implant 26 associated therewith is pulled by the needle162 when the needle 162 is advanced in a distal direction throughtissue.

FIG. 43 illustrates another embodiment of a construct for advancing aplurality of implants through tissue using a plurality of needles, eachneedle being flexible and being associated with one of the implants. Theconstruct of FIG. 43 is illustrated using two implants 26 a, 26 b ofFIG. 4 attached together using the technique of FIG. 30 that includesfinger traps 132 but can be similarly used with other embodiments ofimplants and suture attachment techniques, such as the techniques ofFIGS. 29 and 31-33. In the construct of FIG. 43, each of the needles 168has a suture shuttle 170 trailing distally therefrom. Each of the sutureshuttles 170 is coupled to its associated one of the implants 26 a, 26b, which in this illustrated embodiment is accomplished by looping thesuture shuttle 170 through one pair of holes 32 formed through thesidewall of the implant 26 a, 26 b.

An embodiment of use of the construct of FIG. 43 is illustrated in FIGS.49-55 in which the needles 168 are used to advance the implants 26 a, 26b through meniscus tissue 172 in a meniscus repair procedure, althoughthe construct can be used in other types of surgical procedures. Ingeneral, this use may ensure that the implant 26 a, 26 b is properlyseated before cutting the suture shuttle 170. The construct of FIG. 42can be used similar to that discussed below regarding FIGS. 49-55.

FIG. 49 shows a first one of the needles 162 and its associated firstimplant 26 a advanced through the meniscus 172 on one side of a tear 174in the meniscus 172 with the first needle 162 being advanced out of thepatient's body through the patient's skin 176. FIG. 50 shows the sutureloop associated with the first implant 26 a being pulled down (e.g.,tensioned) to toggle the first implant 26 a sideways against themeniscus 172. If the implant 26 a pulls out during this pulling andtoggling, the first needle 162 can be pulled repeatedly until the firstimplant 26 a is secure in place. FIG. 51 shows the suture shuttle 170associated with the first needle 162 having been cut to allow removal ofthe first needle 162 and suture shuttle 170 from the patient's body bybeing pulled out through the skin 176. FIG. 51 also shows the sutureloop associated with the first implant 26 a being pulled down to togglethe implant 26 a sideways against the meniscus 172 since the cutting ofthe suture shuttle 170 and/or the removal of the suture shuttle 170 andneedle 162 may have jostled the first implant 26 a out of position. FIG.52 shows a second one of the needles 162 and its associated secondimplant 26 b advanced through the meniscus 172 on the other side of thetear 174 in the meniscus 172 with the second needle 162 being advancedout of the patient's body through the patient's skin 176. FIG. 53 showsthe suture loop associated with the second implant 26 b being pulleddown to toggle the second implant 26 b sideways against the meniscus172. FIG. 54 shows the suture shuttle 170 associated with the secondneedle 168 having been cut to allow removal of the second needle 138 andsuture shuttle 170 from the patient's body by being pulled out throughthe skin 176. FIG. 54 also shows the suture loop associated with thesecond implant 26 b being pulled down to toggle the implant 26 bsideways against the meniscus 172 since the cutting of the sutureshuttle 170 and/or the removal of the suture shuttle 170 and needle 168may have jostled the second implant 26 b out of position. FIG. 55 showsthe first and second suture tails being tensioned to secure theirassociated first and second implants 26 a, 26 b in position against themeniscus 172 on either side of the tear 174. The method of FIGS. 49-55can be performed using a steerable cannula, although one is notillustrated in FIGS. 49-55.

FIG. 70 illustrates another embodiment of a construct for advancing aplurality of implants through tissue using a plurality of needles, eachneedle being flexible and being associated with one of the implants. Theconstruct of FIG. 70 is illustrated using the implants 10, 26 of FIGS. 1and 4 attached together using the technique of FIG. 29 but can besimilarly used with other embodiments of implants and suture attachmenttechniques, such as the techniques of FIGS. 30-33. In the construct ofFIG. 70, each of the needles 178 a, 178 b has a suture 180 a, 180 btrailing distally therefrom. Each of the sutures 180 a, 180 b is coupledto its associated one of the implants 10, 26.

An embodiment of use of this construct is illustrated in FIGS. 71-74 inwhich the needles 178 a, 178 b are used to advance the implants 10, 26through meniscus tissue 182 in a meniscus repair procedure, although theconstruct can be used in other types of surgical procedures. FIG. 71shows a first one of the needles 178 a advanced through the meniscus 182on one side of a tear 184 in the meniscus 182 with the first needle 178a being advanced out of the patient's body through the patient's skin186. FIG. 72 shows the suture loop associated with the first implant 10being pulled down (e.g., tensioned) to toggle the first implant 10sideways against the meniscus 182. FIG. 73 shows a second one of theneedles 178 b and its associated second implant 26 advanced through themeniscus 182 on the other side of the tear 184 in the meniscus 182 withthe second needle 178 b being advanced out of the patient's body throughthe patient's skin 186. FIG. 73 also shows the suture loop associatedwith the second implant 26 being pulled down to toggle the secondimplant 26 sideways against the meniscus 182. FIG. 74 shows the suturebridge extending between the first and second implants 10, 26 beingtensioned by pulling the suture tail to secure the first and secondimplants 10, 26 in position against the meniscus 182 on either side ofthe tear 184. FIG. 74 also shows the first and second sutures 180 a, 180b associated with the first and second needles 178 a, 178 b having beencut to allow removal of the first and second needles 178 a, 178 b fromthe patient's body by being pulled out through the skin 186, with FIG.74 showing the needles 178 a, 178 b already having been removed. Themethod of FIGS. 71-74 can be performed using a steerable cannula,although one is not illustrated in FIGS. 71-74.

In other embodiments, instead of using a plurality of needles to delivera plurality of pledgets, each of a plurality of implants coupledtogether with one or more sutures can be coupled to a single needleconfigured to sequentially advance each of the implants through tissue(e.g., meniscus in a meniscal repair procedure) such that only oneneedle is used to advance the implants through the tissue. Using asingle needle may require only one incision to be made in the patient,which may provide any number of benefits over using multiple needles,such as improved cosmesis and less tissue trauma. In meniscus repair,use of a single needle is generally referred to as an all-insidesurgical technique.

The needles described herein that are configured to deliver multipleimplants, e.g., in an all-inside procedure, can have a variety of sizes,shapes, and configurations. The needle can be made from any of a varietyof materials, e.g., stainless steel, nitinol, etc. In an exemplaryembodiment, the needle is a solid member and is flexible. The needlebeing solid may help provide structural stability to the needle. Theneedle being flexible may facilitate desired positioning of the needlerelative to tissue through which it is desired to be advanced and/or maycompensate for an angle of approach to the desired tissue not beingideal because the needle can be directed to tissue at another angle dueto its flexibility such as with a steerable cannula, as discussedfurther below. The needle, while flexible so as to allow flexingthereof, such as for use with a steerable cannula that bends the needle,has sufficient structural stability along its longitudinal length due tobeing solid and/or due to the material(s) from which the needle is madeto allow the needle to be advanced longitudinally through tissue todeliver implant(s) therethrough.

The needle can have a variety of sizes. The needle can be configured tobe advanced through a steerable cannula, as discussed further below, andcan have a length that is long enough to allow a distal portion of theneedle to be advanced distally beyond the steerable cannula. In anexemplary embodiment, the needle has a maximum outer diameter of in arange of about 0.020 in. to 0.050 in., e.g., about 0.035 in.

A distal tip of the needle can have a variety of configurations. In anexemplary embodiment, such as with the needle 36 of FIGS. 9A-9B, thedistal tip can be sharp and configured to pierce through tissue, such asby being beveled or having a sharp triangular tip similar to a trocartip. The needle having a sharp distal tip may facilitate penetration ofthe needle through tissue (e.g., meniscus).

In an exemplary embodiment, the needle has a D-shape cross section in atleast a portion thereof. The needle can thus have a substantially flatsurface extending along a length thereof. A person skilled in the artwill appreciate that a surface may not be precisely flat butnevertheless be considered to be substantially flat due to, e.g.,manufacturing tolerances and/or tolerances in measurement devices. Insome embodiments, the flat surface can extend along an entire length ofthe needle except at a tapering distal tip thereof (e.g., where theneedle is beveled, has a trocar-like tip, etc.). In some embodiments,the flat surface can extend along a partial length of the needle in adistal portion thereof except at a tapering distal tip of the needle. Insome embodiments, the flat surface can extend along the entire length ofthe needle, including the distal tip thereof. In other exemplaryembodiments, the substantially flat surface can instead be slightlydomed. In this way, a radius of curvature on this surface would behigher (e.g., about 2 times higher) than a radius of curvature for anouter diameter of the needle.

One embodiment of a needle configured to deliver a plurality of implantsis the needle 24 of FIGS. 2-3 and the needle 28 of FIGS. 5-6. The needle24, 28 in this illustrated embodiment has a cone-shaped pointed distaltip.

Another embodiment of a needle configured to deliver a plurality ofimplants is the needle 36 of FIGS. 8-9A and the needle 118 of FIGS.24-26. The needle 36, 118 in this illustrated embodiment has a flatsurface 37 extending along a length thereof and has a beveled distal tip39. FIG. 9B illustrates another embodiment of a needle 36 a thatsimilarly includes a flat surface 37 a extending along a length thereofand has a beveled distal tip 39 a.

Another embodiment of a needle 188 configured to deliver a singleimplant (not shown) is illustrated in FIG. 56. The needle 188 in thisillustrated embodiment is flexible, is in the form of a wire, has a flatsurface along a length thereof, and has a sharp distal tip 190. FIG. 56shows the needle 188 as part of a delivery system configured to deliverthe implant. A flexible tube 192 of the delivery system extends distallyfrom a handle 194 of the delivery system and is slidably disposed aroundthe needle 188. The handle 194 has an actuator 196 in the form of athumb drive coupled thereto that is operatively coupled to the flexibletube 192. The thumb drive 196 is configured to be manipulated by a user(directly by hand or through another tool such as a grasper or a roboticsurgical system) to cause slidable movement of the tube 192 relative tothe needle 188, e.g., distal sliding of the thumb drive 196 causes thetube 192 to slide distally and proximal sliding of the thumb drive 196causes the tube 192 to slide proximally.

FIG. 57 shows a distal portion of the delivery system with an implantcoupled thereto. The implant is the implant 10 of FIG. 1, but anothertype of implant can be similarly coupled to and delivered by thedelivery system. The implant 10 is mounted on the needle 188 with theneedle 188 extending through the cannulated interior of the implant 10with a distal portion of the needle 188, including the sharp distal tip190, extending distally beyond the implant 10. The needle 188 extendingdistally beyond the implant 10 may allow the needle 188 to reach afarthest penetration depth into tissue (e.g., meniscus) without theimplant 10. A proximal end surface of the implant 10 abuts a distal endsurface of the tube 192.

The suture 198 coupled to the implant 10 is pinched within the implant'sinner lumen 12 in a press fit between the implant 10 (e.g., an innersurface thereof) and the needle 188 (e.g., the flat surface thereof).The press fit holds the implant 10 in position on the needle 188 beforedeployment therefrom. The actuation of the thumb drive 196 to push thetube 192 distally exerts enough force on the implant 10 to overcome theforce of the press fit, thereby causing the implant 10 to move distallyover the needle 188 and be released therefrom. The flat surface of theneedle 188 can extend along the needle 188 at least along an entirelength of the needle 188 along which the implant 10 is seatedpre-deployment with its proximal end surface abutting the tube 192. Thislocation of the flat surface may help ensure that the suture 198 coupledto the implant 10 is pinched in the press fit between the implant 10 andthe needle's flat surface.

FIGS. 58-61 illustrate an embodiment of use of the delivery system ofFIG. 56 to deliver the implant 32 (see FIG. 4) loaded thereon as in FIG.57. The use is illustrated for a meniscus repair procedure but can besimilarly performed in another type of surgical procedure. FIG. 58 showsthe needle 188 advanced through the meniscus 200 at a location of a tear202 in the meniscus 200 with a distal tip 190 of the needle 188 on a farside of the meniscus 200 and the implant 32 on a near side of themeniscus 200. FIG. 59 shows the implant 32 having been advanced throughthe meniscus 200 to the far side of the meniscus 200 in response toactuation of the thumb drive 196 distally advancing the tube 192. Thethumb drive 196 is advanced distally to cause distal advancement of thetube 192 relative to the needle 188, thereby causing the implant 32loaded on the needle 188 to be pushed distally off the needle 188. FIG.60 shows the delivery system having been removed by being pulleddistally, leaving the implant 32 (and suture 198 attached thereto)within the patient's body. FIG. 61 shows the implant 32 having beentoggled into position against the meniscus 200 by tensioning the suture198 attached thereto. The suture tails can then be trimmed, as discussedabove.

Another embodiment of a needle 204 configured to deliver a plurality ofimplants 206, 208 is illustrated in FIGS. 62 and 69. The needle 204 inthis illustrated embodiment is flexible, has a flat surface along alength thereof, and has a sharp distal tip. FIGS. 62 and 69 show theneedle 204 as part of a delivery system configured to deliver theimplants 206, 208. The delivery system is similar to the delivery systemof FIG. 56 and includes a flexible tube 210, a handle 212, and anactuator 214 in the form of a sleeve knob.

FIGS. 62 and 69 also show first and second implants 206, 208 coupled tothe needle 204. The first implant 206 is loaded on the needle 204 distalto the second implant 208 and is configured to be deployed from theneedle 204 before the second implant 208 is deployed therefrom. Theneedle 204 includes a stop surface that abuts a stop surface of thefirst implant 206. The implant 34 of FIG. 7 is one example of the firstimplant 206. The needle 204 does not include a stop surface for thesecond implant 208. A proximal end surface of the second implant 208abuts a distal end surface of the tube 210. The implant 114 of FIG. 23is one example of the second implant 208. The first and second implants206, 208 are coupled together with a suture 216 according to theconstruct of FIG. 30, although the first and second implants 206, 208can be coupled together with a suture in other ways. FIG. 62 also showsthe suture 216 pinched in a press fit between the needle 204 (e.g., theflat surface thereof) and each of the first and second implants 206,208, similar to that discussed above regarding the implant 10 and needle188 of FIG. 57.

FIG. 63-68 illustrate an embodiment of use of the delivery system ofFIGS. 62 and 69 to deliver the implants 206, 208 loaded thereon. The useis illustrated for a meniscus repair procedure but can be similarlyperformed in another type of surgical procedure. FIG. 63 shows theneedle 204 advanced through the meniscus 218 on one side of a tear 220in the meniscus 218 with a distal tip of the needle 204 on a far side ofthe meniscus 218, the first implant 206 also on the far side of themeniscus 218, and the second implant 208 on a near side of the meniscus218. The stop surfaces of the first implant 206 and the needle 204facilitate the advancement of the first implant 206 through the meniscus218 with the needle 204.

FIG. 64 shows the needle 204 retracted from the far side of the meniscus218 to the near side of the meniscus 218 with the first implant 206remaining on the far side of the meniscus 218. The stop surfaces of thefirst implant 206 and the needle 204 become disengaged when the needle204 is pulled in a proximal direction to move the needle 204 to the nearside of the meniscus 218. The pull force of the needle 204 in theproximal direction is enough to overcome the press fit force, so thefirst implant 206 is not drawn back through the meniscus 218 with theneedle 204. Additionally, as mentioned above, the first implant 206 caninclude a retention feature at its proximal end to help keep the firstimplant 206 on the far side of the meniscus 218 when the needle 204 isretracted therefrom.

FIG. 65 shows the second implant 208 having been advanced distally alongthe needle 204 to the previous position of the first implant 206 on theneedle 204. The needle 204 can include a detent (not shown), such as aball, pin, etc., configured to engage a corresponding indentation (notshown), such as a hole, a socket, a depression, etc., formed in an innerlumen of the second implant 208 to temporarily hold the second implant208 in this advanced position on the needle 204. Alternatively, thesecond implant 208 can include the detent and the needle 204 can includethe corresponding indentation. As yet another alternative, the tube 210can be locked to the needle 204 (e.g., using a detent and acorresponding indentation) instead of locking the second implant 208 tothe needle 204 using a detent or indentation. The second implant 208 isadvanced to this advanced position by the tube 210 pushing the secondimplant 208 distally in response to actuation of the actuator 214 movingthe tube 210 distally. Similar to that discussed above, the tube 210 canexert enough force on the second implant 208 to overcome the press fitforce holding the second implant 208 on the needle 204, thereby allowingthe second implant 208 to advance along the needle 204 and be deployedtherefrom.

The needle 204 back on the near side of the meniscus 218 can be adjustedin position to deploy the second implant 208 on the other side of thetear in the meniscus 218. FIG. 66 shows the needle 204 advanced togetherwith the tube 210 through the meniscus 218 on the other side of the tear220 in the meniscus 218 with the distal tip of the needle 204 on the farside of the meniscus 218 and the second implant 208 as well as thedistal tip of the tube 210 also on the far side of the meniscus 218.

FIG. 67 shows the delivery system retracted from the far side of themeniscus 218 to the near side of the meniscus 218 with the secondimplant 208 remaining on the far side of the meniscus 218. The pullforce of the needle 204 in the proximal direction is enough to overcomethe press fit force, so the second implant 208 is not drawn back throughthe meniscus 218 with the needle 204. Additionally, as mentioned above,the second implant 208 can include a retention feature at its proximalend to help keep the second implant 208 on the far side of the meniscus218 when the needle 204 is retracted therefrom.

FIG. 68 shows the first and second implants 206, 208 having been toggledinto position against the meniscus 218 by tensioning the suture tailsattached thereto. As mentioned above, the suture tails can be tensionedsequentially or can be tensioned simultaneously. The suture tails canthen be trimmed, as discussed above.

Another embodiment of a needle 222 configured to deliver a plurality ofimplants 224, 226 is illustrated in FIG. 82. The needle 222 in thisillustrated embodiment is flexible, has a flat surface along a lengththereof, and has a sharp distal tip. FIG. 82 shows the needle 222 aspart of a delivery system configured to deliver the implants 224, 226.The delivery system is similar to the delivery system of FIG. 56 andincludes a movable handle 228, a stationary handle 230, a spacer 232along which the movable handle 228 is configured to selectively slideproximally and distally, an actuator 234 in the form of a knobselectively slidable proximally and distally in a slot 236 formed in themovable handle 228, a flexible tube 238 extending distally from themovable handle 228 and configured to slide in response to slidingmovement of the actuator 234, and an elongate shaft 240 extendingdistally from the stationary handle 230.

FIG. 82 also shows first and second implants 224, 226 coupled to theneedle 222. The first implant 224 is loaded on the needle 222 distal tothe second implant 226 and is configured to be deployed from the needle222 before the second implant 226 is deployed therefrom. The needle 222includes a stop surface (too small to be visible in FIG. 82) that abutsa stop surface (too small to be visible in FIG. 82) of the first implant224. The implant 34 of FIG. 7A is one example of the first implant 224.The needle 222 does not include a stop surface for the second implant. Aproximal end surface of the second implant 226 abuts a distal endsurface of the tube 238. The implant 114 of FIG. 23 is one example ofthe second implant 226. The first and second implants 224, 226 arecoupled together with a suture (not shown), such as according to theconstruct of FIG. 30 or in another way. The suture is pinched in a pressfit between the needle 222 (e.g., the flat surface thereof) and each ofthe first and second implants 224, 226, similar to that discussed aboveregarding the implant 10 and needle 188 of FIG. 57.

FIG. 83-90 illustrate an embodiment of use of the delivery system ofFIG. 82 to deliver the implants 224, 226 loaded thereon. The use isillustrated for a meniscus repair procedure but can be similarlyperformed in another type of surgical procedure. FIG. 83 shows thedelivery system with a distal end thereof (e.g., a distal end of theelongate shaft) positioned adjacent meniscus tissue 242. A distal end ofthe needle 222 can extend distally beyond the distal end of the shaft240, as shown in FIGS. 82 and 83, or the distal end of the needle 222can be contained within an inner lumen of the elongate shaft 240 inwhich the needle 222 is slidably disposed.

FIG. 84 shows the needle 222 advanced through the meniscus 242 with adistal tip of the needle 222 on a far side of the meniscus 242, thefirst implant 224 also on the far side of the meniscus 242, and thesecond implant 226 on a near side of the meniscus 242 and stillcontained within the inner lumen of the elongate shaft 240 and havingbeen pushed forward to keep its distance to the first implant 224. Thestop surfaces of the first implant 224 and the needle 222 facilitate theadvancement of the first implant 224 through the meniscus 242 with theneedle 222. The needle 222 and the first implant 224 have been advancedthrough the meniscus 242 by moving the movable handle 228 distallytoward and relative to the stationary handle 230.

FIG. 85 shows the needle 222 retracted from the far side of the meniscus242 to the near side of the meniscus 242 with the first implant 224remaining on the far side of the meniscus 242. The stop surfaces of thefirst implant 224 and the needle 222 become disengaged when the needle222 is pulled in a proximal direction to move the needle 222 to the nearside of the meniscus 242. The pull force of the needle 222 in theproximal direction is enough to overcome the press fit force, so thefirst implant 224 is not drawn back through the meniscus 242 with theneedle 222. Additionally, as mentioned above, the first implant 224 caninclude a retention feature at its proximal end to help keep the firstimplant 224 on the far side of the meniscus 242 when the needle 222 isretracted therefrom. The needle 222 has been retracted back through themeniscus 242 by moving the movable handle 228 proximally away from andrelative to the stationary handle 230.

FIG. 86 shows the second implant 226 having been advanced distally alongthe needle 222 by sliding the knob 234 distally in the slot 236 to slidethe tube 238 distally and thereby push the second implant 226 distally.The tube 238 is now locked to the movable handle 228 (by detents, etc.),holding the second implant 226 in position on the needle 222 which isthe initial position of the first implant 224.

FIG. 87 shows the delivery system moved to another location relative tothe meniscus 242 with a distal end of the delivery system (e.g., thedistal end of the elongate shaft 240) positioned adjacent meniscustissue 242. FIG. 88 shows the needle 222 advanced through the meniscus242 on the other side of the tear in the meniscus 242 with the distaltip of the needle 222 on the far side of the meniscus 242 and the secondimplant 226 also on the far side of the meniscus 242. The engaged tube238 facilitates the advancement of the second implant 226 through themeniscus 242 with the needle 222. The needle 222, the tube 238, and thesecond implant 226 have been advanced through the meniscus 242 by movingthe movable handle 228 distally toward and relative to the stationaryhandle 230. For clarity of illustration of the needle 22, second implant226, and sutures 244, the tube 238 is shown in FIG. 88 in a distal,non-advanced position instead of its actual, advanced position with adistal end thereof abutting a proximal end of the second implant 226.

FIG. 89 shows the needle 222 retracted from the far side of the meniscus242 to the near side of the meniscus 242 with the second implant 226remaining on the far side of the meniscus 242 and with the suture 244extending between the first and second implants 224, 226. The pull forceof the needle 222 in the proximal direction is enough to overcome thepress fit force, so the second implant 226 is not drawn back through themeniscus 242 with the needle 222. Additionally, as mentioned above, thesecond implant 226 can include a retention feature at its proximal endto help keep the second implant 226 on the far side of the meniscus 242when the needle 222 is retracted therefrom. The needle 222 has beenretracted back through the meniscus 242 by moving the movable handle 228proximally away from and relative to the stationary handle 230.

FIG. 90 shows the first and second implants 224, 226 having been toggledinto position against the meniscus 242 by tensioning the suture tailsattached thereto. As mentioned above, the suture tails can be tensionedsequentially or can be tensioned simultaneously. The suture tails canthen be trimmed, as discussed above.

FIG. 94 illustrates an embodiment of a delivery system configured to bereloadable. The delivery system includes only one needle 246. In use, afirst implant 248 loaded on the needle 246 is deployed by pushing theneedle 246 forward (e.g., distally) and then pulling the needle 246 back(e.g., proximally). The needle 246 is pulled back far enough to pick upa second implant 250 on a tip of the needle 246. The second implant 250is deployed by pushing the needle 246 forward.

FIG. 95 illustrates an embodiment of a delivery system configured to bestackable. The delivery system includes two needles 252, 254. In use, afirst implant 256 loaded on the first needle 252 is deployed by pushingthe first needle 252 forward (e.g., distally) and then pulling back(e.g., proximally) on the first needle 252. The first needle 252 is thenmoved away from a center of the instrument 258 and the second needle 254having a second implant 260 loaded thereon is moved into the center ofthe instrument 258. The second implant 260 is deployed by pushing thesecond needle 254 forward.

Delivery Devices

The implants described herein can be advanced through tissue in any of avariety of ways. For example, the implants can be delivered to asurgical site using a driver. The implant can be configured to cuttissue (e.g., meniscus) to facilitate passage of the implant and thedriver associated therewith through the tissue.

An embodiment of advancing the implant 54 of FIG. 11 through meniscustissue 262 using the driver 58 of FIG. 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 75-78.Although the method of FIGS. 75-78 is shown with respect to a meniscusrepair procedure, the method can be used in other types of surgicalprocedures. FIG. 75 shows the implant 54 and a distal portion of thedriver 58 advanced through the meniscus 262 on one side of a tear 264 inthe meniscus 262. The driver 58 has been rotated about a longitudinalaxis thereof to correspondingly rotate the implant 54 and thereby drivethe implant 54 through the meniscus 262. The suture attached to theimplant 54 extends from the implant 54 on a far side of the meniscus 262and through the meniscus 262 to a near side of the meniscus 262. FIG. 76shows the driver 58 removed from the implant 54. The driver 58 can be soremoved by pulling it proximally. As mentioned above, the implant 54 caninclude a retention feature at its proximal end to help keep the firstimplant 54 on the far side of the meniscus 262 when the driver 58 isretracted therefrom. FIG. 77 shows the implant 54 having been toggledinto position against the meniscus 262 by tensioning the suture attachedthereto. As shown, the thread of the implant 54 is not within the tissue262 but is instead located substantially outside of the tissue 262, asthe thread facilitates passage of the implant 54 through the tissue,with the suture and not the thread holding the implant 54 in positionrelative to the tissue 262. A person skilled in the art will appreciatethat the thread may minimally dig into the tissue 262 but neverthelessbe considered to be located substantially outside of the tissue 262 dueto the thread not being threaded into the tissue 262 and/or not damagingthe tissue 262 due to the minimal digging.

The suture attached to the implant 54 can be attached to a secondimplant 54 b. The driver 58 can be used to drive the second implant 54 bthrough the meniscus 262 (similar to FIG. 75) on another side of themeniscal tear 264, the driver 58 can be removed from the second implant54 b (similar to FIG. 76), and the suture can be tensioned to toggle thesecond implant 54 b into position (similar to FIG. 77). Two implants 54,54 b can thus be positioned on either side of the tear 264, as shown inFIG. 78. Instead of using the same driver 58 to drive each of the twoimplants 54, 54 b, a different driver can be used for each of theimplants 54, 54 b. As shown, the thread of the second implant 54 b isnot within the tissue 262 but is instead located substantially outsideof the tissue 262, as the thread facilitates passage of the secondimplant 54 b through the tissue 262, with the suture and not the threadholding the second implant 54 b in position relative to the tissue 262.

An embodiment of advancing two of the implants 72 of FIG. 13 throughmeniscus tissue 266 using the driver 76 of FIG. 14 is illustrated inFIG. 79. Although the method of FIG. 79 is shown with respect to ameniscus repair procedure, the method can be used in other types ofsurgical procedures. The driver 76 can sequentially deliver the implants72 through the meniscus, and the suture attached to the implants 72 canbe tensioned, similar to that discussed above regarding FIGS. 75-78. Asshown, the implants 72 are not within the tissue 266 but are insteadlocated substantially outside of the tissue 266, as the threadsfacilitate passage of their respective implants 72 through the tissue,with the suture and not the threads holding the implants in positionrelative to the tissue 266.

An embodiment of advancing two of the implants 78 of FIG. 15 throughmeniscus tissue 268 using the driver 82 of FIG. 16 is illustrated inFIG. 80. Although the method of FIG. 80 is shown with respect to ameniscus repair procedure, the method can be used in other types ofsurgical procedures. The driver 82 can sequentially deliver the implants78 through the meniscus 268, and the suture attached to the implants 78can be tensioned, similar to that discussed above regarding FIGS. 75-78.As shown, the threads of the implants 78 are not within the tissue 268but are instead located substantially outside of the tissue 268, as thethreads facilitate passage of their respective implants 78 through thetissue 268, with the suture and not the threads holding the implants 78in position relative to the tissue 268.

An embodiment of advancing two of the implants 90 of FIG. 17 throughmeniscus tissue 270 using the driver 94 of FIG. 18 is illustrated inFIG. 81. Although the method of FIG. 81 is shown with respect to ameniscus repair procedure, the method can be used in other types ofsurgical procedures. The driver 94 can sequentially deliver the implants90 through the meniscus 270, and the suture 92 attached to the implants90 can be tensioned, similar to that discussed above regarding FIGS.75-78. As shown, the threads of the implants 90 are not within thetissue 270 but are instead located substantially outside of the tissue270, as the threads facilitate passage of their respective implants 90through the tissue 270, with the suture 92 and not the threads holdingthe implants 90 in position relative to the tissue 270.

Cannulas

As mentioned above, one or more needles can be configured to deliver oneor more implants to a surgical site. The one or more needles and the oneor more implants can be advanced to the surgical site through a cannula.In an exemplary embodiment, the cannula can be configured to haveadvanced therethrough a delivery system that delivers one or moreneedles and one or more implants, such as the delivery systems of FIGS.56, 62, 69, and 82.

The cannula through which the needle(s) and implant(s) are advanced canbe configured to be re-used in a same surgical procedure to delivermultiple needles and implants (e.g., have multiple needles and multipleimplants simultaneously or sequentially loaded therein) and/or can beconfigured to be re-used in different surgical procedures to deliverneedles and implants to different patients.

In use, a distal end of the cannula can be positioned substantially attissue through which the needle(s) and the implant(s) are to bedelivered, e.g., adjacent to a meniscus tissue. The distal end of thecannula being substantially at the tissue includes the distal end of thecannula abutting the tissue so as to be in contact with a surface of thetissue, which may help ensure that the needle(s) and the implant(s) areadvanced through the tissue at a desired point, e.g., the point at whichthe cannula's distal end contacts the tissue. The cannula's distal endmay be near but not abut the tissue so as to be in contact therewith butnevertheless be considered to be substantially at the tissue.

In an exemplary embodiment, the distal end of the cannula is normal tothe tissue surface through which the implant(s) and needle(s) beingadvanced from the cannula are to be advanced, thereby allowing theimplant(s) and needle(s) to be advanced through the tissue at theintended point and providing a mechanical advantage because theimplant(s) being delivered are supported.

The cannula through which the needle(s) and implant(s) are advanced canhave a gripping feature at a distal end surface thereof. The grippingfeature may facilitate secure positioning of the cannula's distal endsubstantially at the tissue in a normal position relative thereto byincreasing a coefficient of friction of the cannula's distal endsurface, thereby helping to reduce slippage of the cannula's distal endon the tissue. The gripping feature can have any of a variety ofconfigurations, such as a textured surface, a sticky surface, a fabricon the cannula's distal end, etc.

An angle at which the distal end of the cannula is positioned adjacentto the tissue defines an angle at which the implant(s) and needle(s)advanced through the cannula are advanced into the tissue. Differentangles may be appropriate in different surgical procedures due to anyone or more factors, such as different patient sizes, different tissuesurface geometries between patients, and different implant sizes. Acannula may be advanced into a patient to achieve the cannula angledesired for the surgical procedure being performed. However, a cannulamay not be advanced into the patient to achieve the desired cannulaangle for any one or more reasons, such as unexpected patient anatomy,surgeon inexperience, improper visualization of the surgical space, thecannula is being used to deliver devices that need different angles ofapproach, etc. The cannula may therefore need to be advanced into thepatient multiple times before the desired cannula angle is achieved,which may prolong a length of the surgical procedure, cause unnecessarytissue trauma, and/or increase chances of causing patient injury.

The cannula through which the needle(s) and implant(s) are advanced canbe non-steerable or steerable. In general, a non-steerable cannula has afixed angulation at its distal end. In general, a steerable cannula hasa variable angulation at its distal end. The angle at which the distalend of the cannula approaches a tissue may thus be adjusted within apatient's body, which may facilitate desired angular positioning of thecannula's distal end relative to the tissue and help the cannula'sdistal end be positioned normal to the tissue's surface. The variableangle can, in an exemplary embodiment, be in a range of −90 to 90degrees, e.g., in a range of about −60 to 60 degrees.

A steerable cannula can include a feedback mechanism configured toprovide at least one of a visual, tactile, and audible signal to a userof the steerable cannula indicating a current angle of the steerablecannula's distal end. The current angle can be indicated, for example,audibly (e.g., via clicks that occur every 15° or some otherpredetermined increment) and visually (e.g., with a marking line on therotary knob and indicial markings on the static handle).

A steerable cannula can include an outer tube and an inner tubeconcentrically disposed in the outer tube. The distal ends of the innerand outer tubes can be fixed together, e.g., welded together, attachedtogether with adhesive, being integrally formed together, etc. The outertube can be configured to move relative to the inner tube and therebycausing a distal portion of the cannula to articulate at an angle. Themovement of the outer tube can include rotation of the outer tube abouta longitudinal axis thereof, with a direction of the outer tube'srotation, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, defining whether thecannula's distal portion articulates right or left. In anotherembodiment, the movement of the outer tube can include pushing the outertube distally and pulling the outer tube proximally, the direction(proximal or distal) defining whether the cannula's distal portionarticulates right or left.

FIG. 91 illustrates one embodiment of an inner tube 272 of a steerablecannula (shown transparent for ease of illustration). FIG. 91 alsoillustrates disposed in an inner lumen of the inner tube 272 an implant274 coupled to a needle 276 and to a suture 278. The inner tube 272 hasa plurality of slits 280 formed in one side thereof in a distal portionthereof. The inner tube 272 includes five slits 280 but can have anothernumber of slits 280. The plurality of slits 280 are configured to allowbending of the inner tube 272 along a length of the cannula includingthe slits 280, e.g., allow bending in the distal portion of the cannulathat includes the slits 280. The deeper the slits 280 and the wider theslits 280, the easier it is to bend the inner tube 272 at the slits 280(e.g., the less force that need be applied to move the outer tube)because the slits 280 provide less resistance to bending of the innertube 272. In an exemplary embodiment, the slits 280 are shallow and havea narrow width so as to make it more difficult to bend the inner tube272. Making the inner tube 272 more difficult to bend may help reducekickback of the cannula when advancing the needle 276 and the implant274 disposed therein through tissue at which the cannula's distal end ispositioned, thereby helping to ensure that the needle 276 and implant274 are advanced through the tissue at the desired point.

The steerable cannula also includes an outer tube (not shown) having adistal end fixed to a distal end of the inner tube 272. The outer tubecan have a plurality of slits formed in one side thereof opposite to theside in which the plurality of slits 280 are formed in the inner tube272, e.g., offset 180° from the slits 280 of the inner tube 272. Asmentioned above, depending on a movement of the outer tube relative tothe inner tube 272, the cannula will either bend one way in response tothe slits 280 of the inner tube being compressed and allowing bending orin an opposite way in response to the slits of the inner tube 272 beingseparated and allowing bending.

FIG. 92 illustrates one embodiment of a non-steerable cannula 282. FIG.92 also illustrates disposed in an inner lumen of the cannula 282 animplant 274 coupled to a needle 276 and to a suture 278 (the sameimplant, needle, and suture as in FIG. 91). The non-steerable cannula282 has a fixed curvature in a distal portion thereof so as to be bentat a non-zero angle relative to its longitudinal axis. The non-steerablecannula 282 can be provided in a kit including one or more additionalnon-steerable cannulas with each non-steerable cannula in the kit havinga different fixed curvature (all non-zero curvatures, or one zerocurvature and one or more non-zero curvatures) in a distal portionthereof. A surgeon may select one of the non-steerable cannulas having adesired curvature for use in a performance of a particular surgicalprocedure being performed on a particular patient. Different ones of thenon-steerable cannulas can be used in the course of that same surgicalprocedure, thereby allowing different angles of approach to be achieved.

FIG. 93 illustrates another embodiment of a non-steerable cannula 284.FIG. 93 also illustrates disposed in an inner lumen of the cannula 284an implant 274 coupled to a needle 276 and to a suture 278 (the sameimplant, needle, and suture as in FIG. 91). The cannula 284 is the sameas the cannula 282 of FIG. 92 except that the cannula 284 of FIG. 93 hasa longitudinal slot 286 formed through a sidewall thereof that is incommunication with an inner lumen of the cannula 284. The slot 286 canbe configured to have a suture extend therethrough, as shown in FIG. 93in which the suture 278 extends through the slot 286. In an exemplaryembodiment, the slot 286 extends along an entire longitudinal length ofthe cannula 284, thereby allowing the needle(s) and implant(s) couple tothe suture 278 to be inserted into the cannula 284 through an openproximal end thereof with the suture 278 extending through the slot 286as the needle(s) and implant(s) are advanced to the distal end of thecannula 284 and, eventually, out of the cannula 284. The slot 286 isstraight in this illustrated embodiment, but the slot 286 may spiralaround the cannula 284 or otherwise not be straight along the cannula284. The slot 286 may reduce chances of the suture 278 tangling with theneedle(s) and implant(s) as the needle and implant are advanced throughand out of the cannula 284, may facilitate delivery of a protectivemember coupled to the suture 278 since the protective member (e.g., theprotective member of FIG. 32 or FIG. 33) can be located outside of thecannula 284, and/or may facilitate delivery of a suture coupled tomultiple implants since a length of the suture connecting the implantwithin the cannula 284 to one or more other implants outside the cannula284 can extend through the slot 286. The protective member may be toolarge to fit within the cannula 284 without increasing a diameter of thecannula 284, which is generally undesirable since it would require alarger incision to be made in the patient to insert the cannula 284 intothe patient and/or would make the cannula 284 more difficult todesirably position within a tight surgical space. The slot 286 thusallows a construct including a protective member to be delivered using acannula 284.

The cannula 284 of FIG. 93 may be provided in a kit similar to thatdiscussed above regarding the cannula 282 of FIG. 92. A kit can includeany number (including zero) non-steerable cannulas having a longitudinalslot and any number (including zero) non-steerable cannulas lacking alongitudinal slot, as long as the kit includes at least twonon-steerable cannulas.

FIGS. 96 and 97 illustrate an embodiment of a steerable cannula 288 thatincludes a handle 290, an actuator in the form of a steering knob 292,and inner and outer tubes 294, 296 extending distally from the handle290 and knob 292. FIG. 97 shows the cannula 288 of FIG. 96 with thehandle 290 in cross-section. FIG. 98 shows the cannula 288 of FIG. 96 inan exploded view. FIG. 99 shows the outer tube 296 of the cannula 288 ofFIG. 96 as a standalone element. FIG. 100 shows the inner tube 294 ofthe cannula 288 of FIG. 96 as a standalone element. FIG. 101 shows aperspective view of a distal portion of the cannula 288 of FIG. 96. FIG.102 shows a perspective view of a distal portion of the inner and outertubes 294, 296 of the cannula 288 of FIG. 96.

As shown in FIGS. 99 and 100, the inner tube 294 has a plurality ofcutouts 298 in the form of slits formed in one side thereof in a distalportion thereof, and the outer tube 296 has a plurality of cutouts 300in the form of slits formed in an opposite side thereof in a distalportion thereof. The distal ends of the inner and outer tubes 294, 296are attached together via welding 306, as shown in FIG. 102, althoughthe tubes 294, 296 can be attached together in other ways, as mentionedabove. The outer tube 296 of the cannula 288 is configured to moverelative to the inner tube 294 to articulate a distal end of the cannula288. The knob 292 is operatively coupled to the outer tube 296 viacorresponding threads on the knob 292 and the outer tube 296. The knob292 is configured to be actuated, e.g., rotated, to cause the outertube's movement relative to the inner tube 294 by threadably moving theouter tube 296. The inner tube 294 is held in a fixed position relativeto the handle 290 due to a proximal coupling element 302 at a proximalend of the inner tube 294, shown in FIGS. 97, 98 and 100, being seatedat a fixed position along the cannula's longitudinal axis in adepression 304 formed in the handle 290, as shown in FIG. 97. Thus, theinner tube 294 stays at a fixed axial position while the outer tube 296rotates and moves longitudinally in response to the actuation of theknob 292, thereby causing the distal portion of the cannula 288 toarticulate in the area of the cutouts 298, 300.

FIGS. 103 and 104 illustrate an embodiment of a steerable cannula 308that includes a handle 310, an actuator 312 in the form of a lever, andinner and outer tubes 314, 316 extending distally from the handle 310.FIG. 104 shows the cannula 308 of FIG. 103 in cross-section. The innertube 314 has a plurality of cutouts 318 in the form of slits formed inone side thereof in a distal portion thereof, and the outer tube 316 hasa plurality of cutouts 320 in the form of slits formed in an oppositeside thereof in a distal portion thereof. Distal ends of the inner andouter tubes 314, 316 are fixed together, e.g., welded together, attachedtogether with adhesive, being integrally formed together, etc.

The outer tube 316 is configured to move relative to the inner tube 314to articulate a distal end of the cannula 308, similar to thearticulation of steerable cannulas discussed above. The cannula 308includes a drive assembly 322 configured to facilitate the articulationof the distal end of the cannula 308 by causing movement of the innertube 314 relative to the outer tube 316. The drive assembly 322includes, as also shown in FIG. 105, the lever 312 and a couplingelement 324 in the form of a spherical ball. The coupling element 324 isfixed to the inner tube 314 with the inner tube 314 extending throughthe ball 324, as shown in FIG. 105.

The lever 312 is configured to be actuated, e.g., moved proximally anddistally as shown by arrow R1 in FIGS. 105 and 106, to cause the innertube's movement relative to the outer tube 316 by translating the innertube 314 proximally (in response to the lever 312 being movedproximally) and distally (in response to the lever 312 being moveddistally). The lever 312 is pivotally attached to the handle 310 at apivot point 330 about which the lever 312 pivots in response to movementof the lever 312 from outside the handle 310, e.g., from user movementof the lever 312 selectively back and forth. The pivoting of the lever312 may provide a mechanical advantage that eases articulation of thecannula's distal end. The lever 312 extends from within the handle 310through a slot 332 (see FIG. 103) formed in the handle 310 to facilitateuser access to and manipulation of the lever 312. The outer tube 316 isheld in a fixed position relative to the handle 310 due to a distalcoupling element 326 at a distal end of the outer tube 316. The distalcoupling element 326 is fixed to the handle 310 within an inner cavity328 thereof so as to hold the outer tube 316 at a fixed position alongthe cannula's longitudinal axis. Thus, the outer tube 316 stays at afixed axial position while the inner tube 314 translates and moveslongitudinally, as shown by arrow R2 in FIG. 105, in response to theactuation of the lever 312, thereby causing the distal portion of thecannula 308 to articulate in the area of the cutouts 318, 320. The ball324 and a bottom portion of the lever 312 are also disposed in thehandle's inner cavity 328, as shown in FIGS. 105 and 106.

The inner and outer tubes 314, 316 are configured to rotate about ashared longitudinal axis thereof relative to the handle 310, as shown byarrow R3 in FIG. 105 and arrow R4 in FIG. 106. This rotation mayfacilitate positioning of the cannula's distal end at a desiredorientation relative to a target tissue. A support tube 334 disposedaround a distal portion of the outer tube 316, and having a distal endthereof fixed to the distal coupling element 326, is also configured torotate with the inner and outer tubes 314, 316 about the sharedlongitudinal axis of the inner and outer tubes 314, 316. The lever 312has an inner cavity 336 therein in which the ball 324 is movablydisposed, as shown by arrows R4, R5, R6 in FIG. 106, so as to allow forthe rotation of the inner tube 314 without causing correspondingrotation of the lever 312. The lever 312 is thus configured to remainstationary during the rotation of the inner tube 314 to maintain alongitudinal position of the inner tube 314 during its rotation. Therotation of the inner and outer tubes 314, 316 can be accomplished bymanual rotation thereof, such as by manually rotating the support tube334 from outside of the handle 310, manually rotating the outer tube 316from outside of the handle 310, or by manually rotating the distalcoupling element 326 from outside of the handle 310 through an accessopening 338 formed in the handle 310 (see FIGS. 103 and 105).

The cannula 308 can include one or more detents configured to preventundesirable motion of various parts of the cannula 308 and therebyfacilitate desirable and stable positioning of the cannula 308 relativeto a target tissue. The detent can have any of a variety ofconfigurations, such as a ball detent extending from one element of thecannula 308 and configured to slide in and out of a correspondingdepression formed in another element of the cannula 308. FIG. 107illustrates four positions P1, P2, P3, P4 at which detents may belocated. The cannula 308 can have detents at any one or more of thesepositions P1, P2, P3, P4. The first position P1 is at an interfacebetween the handle 310 and the lever 312. A detent at the first positionP1 is configured to prevent undesired movement of the lever 312 relativeto the handle 310, e.g., to hold the lever 312 in its distal-mostposition within the slot 332 until a user initiates movement of thelever 312. The cannula 308 can additionally or alternatively include adetent at a proximal end of the slot 332 to hold the lever 312 in itsproximal-most position within the slot 332 until a user initiatesmovement of the lever 312. The second position P2 is at an interfacebetween the inner tube 314 and the handle 310. A detent at the secondposition P2 is configured to prevent undesired translational orrotational movement of the inner tube 314 relative to the handle 310until a user initiates such movement. The third position P3 is at aninterface between the ball 324 and the lever 312. A detent at the thirdposition P3 is configured to prevent undesired movement of the ball 324relative to the lever 312, e.g., prevent movement of the ball 324 withinthe lever's inner cavity 336, and thereby help prevent unintentionalrotation of the inner tube 314 and the outer and support tubes 316, 334operatively coupled thereto. The fourth position P4 is at an interfaceof the lever 312 and the handle 310 by the pivot point 330. A detent atthe fourth position P4 is configured to prevent undesired pivoting ofthe lever 312 relative to the handle 310 until such movement isinitiated by a user.

In another embodiment of a steerable cannula, the steerable cannula caninclude inner and outer tubes configured to articulate similar to theembodiments of inner and outer tubes of steerable cannulas discussedabove. The steerable cannula in this embodiment includes a wire or cableconfigured to be actuated to cause the articulation of the inner andouter tubes. The wire or cable can be operatively coupled to an actuator(e.g., an actuator in the form of a lever, a knob, etc.) that, whenactuated, causes the wire or cable to shorten longitudinally and therebycause the articulation. The wire or cable can be attached at its distalend to the outer tube such that the shortening of the wire or cablecauses articulation of the outer tube and hence also articulation of theinner tube attached to the outer tube. The wire or cable can extendthrough an inner lumen of the steerable cannula, e.g., through innerlumens of both the inner and outer tubes. Alternatively, the outer tubecan have an irregular cross-sectional shape to allow passage of the wireor cable therethrough outside of the inner tube but inside the outertube, such as the outer tube having a primary, circular inner lumen areaextending therethrough with a semi-circular inner lumen area projectingradially outward from the primary, circular inner lumen area, with thewire or cable extending through the semi-circular inner lumen area andthe inner tube extending through the circular inner lumen area.

The inner and outer tubes can each include slits to facilitatearticulation, similar to that discussed above. Alternatively or inaddition to the inner tube including slits, the inner tube can beflexible and be made from a material such as nitinol or plastic (e.g.,PEEK. etc.) to facilitate its articulation. If the inner tube isplastic, a distal end of the inner tube can have a bevel edge or canhave a cannulated metal tip joined thereto to facilitate passage of theinner tube through tissue. The inner tube can be configured to movelongitudinally relative to the outer tube.

In use, after being advanced to a target site, such as to a position ata joint, the outer tube can be articulated to determine an optimal angleof articulation for implant delivery and placed adjacent to a tissuesurface for implant delivery. The inner tube can then be advanceddistally relative to the outer tube by actuating an inner tube actuatoroperatively coupled thereto (e.g., by sliding a lever, rotating a knob,etc.) such that the inner tube pierces the tissue surface, e.g., piercesthrough a peripheral rim of a meniscus tissue. A first implant can thenbe advanced distally through the inner tube via actuation of an implantactuator (such as a flexible actuator) until the implant moves distallybeyond the inner tube to allow the first implant to toggle behind thetissue, e.g., behind the meniscus. The actuator can then return to aposition behind a second implant, initially loaded proximal to the firstimplant, due to a biasing member such as a spring. The inner tube canthen be withdrawn to a mating position with a distal portion of theouter tube, thereby allowing the cannula to be repositioned relative tothe tissue for delivery of the second implant. The implant deliveryprocess can then be repeated for the second implant, e.g., articulatethe outer tube, advance the inner tube, advance the second implant, andwithdraw the inner tube. In another embodiment, the outer tube can bereplaced by a steerable cannula described above, e.g., no wire or cableactuation.

Lockable Cannulas

A cannula configured to have advanced therethrough a delivery systemthat delivers one or more needles and one or more implants throughtissue can be configured to be lockable relative to tissue through whichthe cannula is inserted and/or relative to the delivery system. Thelockability of the cannula may help hold the cannula's distal endsubstantially at the tissue, e.g., hold the cannula's distal end normalto the tissue's surface, which may help ensure that the needle(s) andthe implant(s) are advanced through the tissue at a desired point. Thelockability of the cannula may help reduce kickback of the cannuladuring delivery of the implant(s) and needle(s), which may help increasesurgeon confidence that the needle(s) and the implant(s) are beingadvanced through the tissue at a desired point since kickback can betactilely felt by the surgeon and typically indicates that the cannulais shifting in position during deployment of the needle(s) andimplant(s).

In at least some embodiments, a delivery system can be configured to belockable relative to tissue through which it is inserted similar to thelockability of cannulas discussed herein. In such a case, the deliverysystem need not be advanced through a cannula since the delivery systemcan itself be configured to lock itself in position relative to tissuethrough which it is advanced to be positioned adjacent to target tissuethrough which implant(s) and needle(s) will be advanced.

FIG. 108 illustrates one embodiment of a cannula 340 configured to belockable relative to a delivery system 342 and relative to tissue 344 inwhich the cannula 340 is positioned. The delivery system 342 of FIG. 108includes a thumb slide 346 configured to deploy implant(s) from thesystem 342, as discussed herein. The delivery system 342 of FIG. 108 isan example of a delivery system that can be advanced through the cannula340. Other delivery systems can be so advanced, such as the deliverysystems of FIGS. 56, 82 (and 69), and 82.

The cannula 340 includes a distal retention feature 348, in the form ofa distal lip, configured to engage a distal surface of tissue 344through which the cannula 340 has been advanced and in which the cannula340 is positioned and thereby lock the cannula 340 relative thereto. Thedistal retention feature 348 can be configured to cooperate with thetissue 344 to reduce kickback of the cannula 340 during deployment ofthe needle(s) and implant(s) from the delivery system 342. The distalretention feature 348 can be configured to deployed into positionedafter being advanced through the tissue 344, similar to that discussedbelow regarding the deployment of the retention feature of FIG. 110. Inother embodiments, the distal retention feature can be malleable, e.g.,be formed of a gel material similar to a gel seal, to facilitateinsertion of the distal retention feature in a collapsed state throughthe tissue while allowing the distal retention feature to return to itsdefault expanded state after passage through the tissue.

The cannula 340 includes a proximal retention feature 350, in the formof a soft material forming a proximal portion of the cannula 340,configured to engage the delivery system 342 advanced through thecannula 340. One example of such as soft material is a poly urethane(non-crystalline) material. The proximal retention feature 350 canincrease a coefficient of friction of the cannula 340 and thereby lockthe delivery system 342 relative thereto via friction relationship untila force is applied to the delivery system 342 that overcomes thefrictional force, e.g., until the delivery system 342 is pulledproximally or pushed distally with enough force to overcome thefrictional force. The distal retention feature 348 is also formed of thesoft material and is sufficiently flexible for insertion into softtissue yet rigid enough to prevent the cannula 340 from pulling out ofthe soft tissue during delivery system manipulation.

The steering actuation is an actuator 352 configured to be actuated toeffect bending of the cannula's distal end where slots 354 are shown inFIG. 108. The actuator 352 is actuated by rotation.

FIG. 109 illustrates one embodiment of a delivery system 356 configuredto be lockable relative to tissue 358 in which the delivery system 356is positioned. The delivery system 356 includes a plurality of retentionfeatures 360 formed on an exterior surface thereof that are configuredto engage the tissue 358 in which the delivery system 356 is positioned.The exterior of the delivery system 356 may thus not be smooth. Theretention features 360 are configured to help hold the delivery system356 in position in the tissue 358 by penetrating into the tissue 358,and the retention features 360 are configured to reduce kickback of thedelivery system 356 during deployment of the needle(s) and implant(s)from the delivery system by holding the delivery system 356 in positionrelative to the tissue 358. The retention features 360 can have avariety of configurations, such as barbs (as in this illustratedembodiment) or other protrusions (e.g., ribs, spikes, a thread, etc.)extending radially outward from the delivery system 356, a texturedsurface, a sticky surface, etc. The retention features 360 can be formedon the delivery system 356 in any of a variety of ways, such as by beingovermolded thereon. The retention features 360 can be made from the samematerial as a remainder of the delivery system 356 (e.g., stainlesssteel, PEEK, etc.) or from a different material as the remainder of thedelivery system 356.

FIGS. 110A and 110B illustrate an embodiment of a cannula 362 configuredto be lockable relative to tissue in which the cannula 362 ispositioned. The cannula 362 includes a retention feature 364, in theform of a distal lip, configured to engage a distal surface of tissuethrough which the cannula 362 has been advanced and in which the cannula362 is positioned and thereby lock the cannula 362 relative thereto. Thedistal retention feature 364 can be configured to cooperate with thetissue to reduce kickback of the cannula 362 during deployment of theneedle(s) and implant(s) from the delivery system. A proximal portion366 of the cannula 362 is coupled to an actuator in the form of arotating cap 368, which is part of a second cannula inserted into thecannula 362, configured to deploy the distal retention feature 364 afterthe distal retention feature 364 is advanced through the tissue, therebyallowing the distal retention feature 364 to have a smaller size duringinsertion/removal to facilitate minimally invasive use and/or to allowselectable size of the distal retention feature 364 in view of availablespace within the patient's body. Rotating the cap 368 relative to adistal base, e.g., the proximal portion 366 of the cannula 362, in afirst direction (e.g., clockwise) causes the distal lip 364 to expandand radially create an “iris,” as shown in FIG. 110B. The iris iscreated by two discs, one rotatable and one stationary. Actuating thecap 368 rotates the rotatable disc relative to the stationary disc. Theiris is configured to allow positional movement of the delivery systemwhen actuated (e.g., when the iris is open). Rotating the cap 368relative to the distal base in a second, opposite direction (e.g.,counterclockwise) causes the distal lip 364 to contract and “dilate” the“iris,” which may facilitate removal of the cannula 362 from the tissueafter the “iris” has been expanded. The iris is configured to limitpositional movement of the delivery system when contracted.

FIG. 111A illustrates one embodiment of a cannula 370 configured to belockable relative to a delivery system 372. The cannula 370 includes aninternal mating feature 374 (obscured in FIG. 111A and in the form of a“J” lock 374 in this illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 111B)configured to releasably lock with a corresponding external matingfeature 376 of the delivery system 372. The external mating feature 376in this illustrated embodiments is two over-molded tabs on the deliverysystem 372 that rotationally engage the “J” lock 374 (which is molded onthe cannula 370 in the inner diameter thereof) to secure the deliverysystem 372 within the cannula 370, thereby keeping the delivery system372 stable during implant insertion.

FIG. 112 illustrates another embodiment of a cannula 378 configured tobe lockable relative to a delivery system 380. The cannula 378 includesa mating feature 382 (in the form of a plurality of holes in thisillustrated embodiment) configured to releasably lock with acorresponding mating feature 384 of the delivery system 380 (aspring-loaded detent button in this illustrated embodiment). The detentbutton 384 can be locked within any one of the holes 382 to secure thedelivery system 380 at a desired position within the cannula 378. Thecannula 378 can instead include only one hole 382, thereby providing onepredetermined locked position of the delivery system 380 within thecannula 378.

FIG. 113 illustrates another embodiment of a cannula 386 configured tobe lockable relative to a delivery system 388. The cannula 386 includesa mating feature 390 in the form of a plurality of radially-arrangedvertical slots configured to releasably lock via compression fit with aslidable locking nut 392 of the delivery system 388. The compression nut392, when slid to engage the mating feature 390, compresses the cannula386 to secure thereto.

CONCLUSION

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantagesof the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly,the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shownand described, except as indicated by the appended claims. Allpublications and references cited herein are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical system, comprising: a cannulaconfigured to have a surgical device advanced therethrough, the cannulaincluding concentric inner and outer tubes that have distal ends fixedtogether, the outer tube being configured to longitudinally translate,along a longitudinal axis of the outer tube, relative to the inner tubeand thereby cause a distal portion of the cannula to articulate; and anactuator threadably engaged with the outer tube and configured to berotated to cause the longitudinal translation of the outer tube relativeto the inner tube; wherein the inner tube has a first plurality of slitsformed in a distal portion thereof that are configured to facilitate thearticulation, and the outer tube has a second plurality of slits formedin a distal portion thereof that are configured to facilitate thearticulation; and wherein the first plurality of slits are formed on afirst side of the cannula, and the second plurality of slits are formedon a second, opposite side of the cannula.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the inner tube does not longitudinally translate in response tothe actuation of the actuator.
 3. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a locking mechanism configured to at least one of lock thecannula in position relative to a tissue in which the cannula ispositioned, and lock the cannula in position relative to the surgicaldevice advanced therethrough.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thesurgical device includes a needle coupled to at least one pledget and atleast one suture attached to the at least one pledget, the needle beingconfigured to guide the at least one pledget and the at least one suturethrough a tissue.
 5. A surgical system, comprising: an actuator; and acannula configured to have a surgical device advanced therethrough andincluding at least one of a first locking mechanism configured to lockthe cannula in position relative to a tissue in which the cannula ispositioned, and a second locking mechanism configured to lock thecannula in position relative to the surgical device advancedtherethrough; wherein the cannula includes concentric inner and outertubes that have distal ends fixed together, the outer tube beingconfigured to longitudinally translate, along a longitudinal axis of theouter tube, relative to the inner tube and thereby cause a distalportion of the cannula to articulate; wherein the actuator is threadablyengaged with the outer tube and is configured to be rotated to cause thelongitudinal translation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube;and wherein the rotation of the actuator is also configured to causerotation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the cannula includes at least the first lockingmechanism, the first locking mechanism including a plurality ofprotrusions on an external surface of the cannula, the plurality ofprotrusions being configured to contact the tissue.
 7. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the cannula includes at least the first lockingmechanism, the first locking mechanism including a distal retentionfeature having a proximal surface configured to abut a distal surface ofthe tissue.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the cannula includes thefirst locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism.
 9. The systemof claim 5, wherein the cannula includes at least the first lockingmechanism, the first locking mechanism including a proximal retentionfeature having a distal surface configured to abut a proximal surface ofthe tissue.
 10. The system of claim 5, wherein the cannula includes atleast the second locking mechanism, the second locking mechanismincluding a soft material forming at least a proximal portion of thecannula.
 11. The system of claim 5, wherein the cannula includes atleast the second locking mechanism, the second locking mechanismincluding a mating feature configured to releasably engage acorresponding mating feature of the surgical device.
 12. The system ofclaim 7, the cannula also includes the second locking mechanism, thesecond locking mechanism including a proximal retention feature, theproximal retention feature including a soft material configured toincrease a coefficient of friction of the cannula and thereby lock thecannula in position relative to the surgical device advancedtherethrough.
 13. A surgical system, comprising: a cannula configured tohave a surgical device advanced therethrough, the cannula includingconcentric inner and outer tubes that have distal ends fixed together,the outer tube being configured to longitudinally translate, along alongitudinal axis of the outer tube, relative to the inner tube andthereby cause a distal portion of the cannula to articulate; and anactuator threadably engaged with the outer tube and configured to berotated to cause the longitudinal translation of the outer tube relativeto the inner tube; wherein the rotation of the actuator is alsoconfigured to cause rotation of the outer tube relative to the innertube.
 14. A surgical system, comprising: a cannula configured to have asurgical device advanced therethrough, the cannula including concentricinner and outer tubes that have distal ends fixed together, the outertube being configured to longitudinally translate, along a longitudinalaxis of the outer tube, relative to the inner tube and thereby cause adistal portion of the cannula to articulate; an actuator threadablyengaged with the outer tube and configured to be rotated to cause thelongitudinal translation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube;and a handle having the inner and outer tubes extending distallytherefrom, a proximal terminal end of the inner tube being coupled tothe handle at a fixed position such that the inner tube is preventedfrom longitudinally translating relative to the handle, and a proximalterminal end of the outer tube is seated within a cavity formed in thehandle, the proximal terminal end of the outer tube being configured tolongitudinally translate in the cavity during the longitudinaltranslation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube.
 15. A surgicalsystem, comprising: an actuator; and a cannula configured to have asurgical device advanced therethrough and including at least one of afirst locking mechanism configured to lock the cannula in positionrelative to a tissue in which the cannula is positioned, and a secondlocking mechanism configured to lock the cannula in position relative tothe surgical device advanced therethrough; wherein the cannula includesconcentric inner and outer tubes that have distal ends fixed together,the outer tube being configured to longitudinally translate, along alongitudinal axis of the outer tube, relative to the inner tube andthereby cause a distal portion of the cannula to articulate; and whereinthe system further comprises a handle having the inner and outer tubesextending distally therefrom, a proximal terminal end of the inner tubebeing coupled to the handle at a fixed position such that the inner tubeis prevented from longitudinally translating relative to the handle, anda proximal terminal end of the outer tube is seated within a cavityformed in the handle, the proximal terminal end of the outer tube beingconfigured to longitudinally translate in the cavity during thelongitudinal translation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube.